Resumen de Demonstration of Polymer Photodegradation Using a Simple Apparatus
Thiago A. Cacuro, Amanda S. M. Freitas, Walter R. Waldman
Polymer science is widely used in industry, from the development of packaging to the process for obtaining products of all kinds. Despite this omnipresence in the productive sector and our daily lives, topics related to polymer science are not as representative in school curricula. The demonstrations developed in this work address some technological applications of photodegradation, such as the functionalization of nonpolar polymer surfaces to receive water-based paints, and their participation in the deterioration of polymers exposed to the weather. The simplicity and easy-to-make characteristics of the proposed experiments make them eligible to facilitate the discussion of polymer science topics in the classroom.
