Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer. It is produced through the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate, not by polymerization of vinyl alcohol. PVA has excellent film-forming, adhesive, and emulsifying properties. It is used in products like eye drops, contact lens solution, and as reinforcement in concrete. PVA dissolves in water due to hydrogen bonding between its hydroxyl groups and water molecules.

1. POLYVINYL ALCOHOL (POLYETHENOL) By Manjot, Dilpreet and Benjamin IUPAC name: poly(l-hydroxyethylene) (C 2 H 4 O) n

2. General information Polyethenol also known as Polyvinyl Alcohol is generally known as PVA. It is most commonly used in adhesive products and for making other polymers. Monomer Polymer Polyethenol Polymer O O O O O

3. Production Unlike many vinyl polymers, Polyvinyl Alcohol is not made via polymerization of the corresponding monomer. Hydrolysis Methyl Alcohol + Vinyl Alcohol ---------------> Polyvinyl Alcohol

4. Bonding Within Material The relatively simple molecules of this material bond using covalent bonds and hydrogen interactions. The mixture of these two bonds in this material give it a relatively high melting point of 230 °C and also a relatively high boiling point as a lot of energy is required to overcome the large quantity of bonds within this material. - Intermolecular bond dissociation enthalpy: 2366kJ/mol - Hydrogen bond dissociation enthalpy: 23kJ/mol - -

5. Other Physical Data Relative Molecular Mass: 44g/mol Flash Point: 79.44 °c Specific Gravity: 1.19-1.31 Density: 1.19-1.31 g/cm³ Solubility: Soluble In Cold Water, Hot Water The material is pretty inert. It is not harmful, does not react very much/easily and can be contained with ease.

6. Some Uses of PVA Polyvinyl alcohol has excellent film forming, emulsifying, and adhesive properties. It is resistant to oil, grease and solvent. PVA is fully degradable and is a quick dissolver Used in water transfer printing process Used in eye drops and hard contact lens solution as a lubricant PVA fiber, as reinforcement in concrete

7. Explanations of Applications Polyvinyl alcohol is used in eye drops because, when eyes become dry due to a reduced production of mucin by the conjunctiva, it reduces the surface tension of the tears and also has similar properties to the mucin.

8. Explanations of Applications 2 It is also used a water soluble film, the degradation of PVOH is influenced by its crystalline structure and molecular weight. The Hydrogens present in the Polyvinyl alcohol have a delta plus charge meaning the delta minus charge on the oxygen atom in a molecule of water will attract the delta positive charge and will surround the hydrogen an cause the film to break down.

9. Explanations of Applications 3 Polyvinyl alcohol is also used in PET bottles as a carbon layer, because it helps the bottle when thrown away, to degrade which means less rubbish to deal with.

10. Explanations of Applications 4 When PVA is added to a Borax a bond between the oxygen of the borax and the hydrogen of the PVA forms (a hydrogen bond) this new formation links the two substances together, forming a slime. The slime is vicious because the hydrogen bonds let the molecules slide over each other but the covalent bonds within the molecules holds the solid together.

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12. Sources http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/P5282.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_alcohol http://www.druginfo.co.kr/drugimg/30059.gif http://www.lddiscounts.co.uk/images/products/PVA-980ml.jpg http://www.solufilm.com/images/solufilm/high50.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lilit.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Contactlenzen_Confortissimo.JPG http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/eyes/medicines/100001515.html http://www.adhesivesmag.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000112679 http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/plastic-moulded-bodieshard-candies-in-innovative-plastic-moulds-1758253.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_terephthalate http://www.practicalchemistry.org/experiments/pva-polymer-slime,153,EX.html