Polymer crystals are necessary for humidor attachments to maintain the correct humidity for cigars. Correct humidity is needed to absorb excess moisture and reduce mold. To achieve the optimum 70 percent humidity, an equal ratio of propylene glycol and distilled water is needed. Propylene glycol can also be added subsequently, if ever humidity increases again.
Ingredients and Materials Needed:
Ingredients and Materials Needed:
- Propylene glycol USP
- Double-distilled water
- Airtight container
- Pipettes
- Glass stirrer
- Spectrometer
Procedure:
Maintain a constant room temperature throughout the preparation to avoid the crystals from melting. Pour 20 ml. of propylene glycol in an airtight container. Add an equal amount of double-distilled water using a pipette. Stir the mixture slowly for a minute using a glass stirrer. Allow the suspension to stand for 10 minutes without stirring. Add an excess of 10 percent propylene glycol slowly using a clean pipette. Try to achieve a ratio of 60-100 percent propylene glycol to 50 percent distilled water. This is to ensure formation of glass-like solid crystals and to allow the glycol to increase in viscosity.
Measure the concentration of crystals in the aqueous solution using the refractive index technique and a laboratory refractor or spectrometer to measure the speed of light in a given distance. A solution containing a large portion of crystalline structures will slow down the passage of light, hence producing lower refractive values. Create equal-sized crystals by adding an excess of propylene glycol and simultaneously checking the spectroscopy, to soak up as much water as possible.
Maintain a constant room temperature throughout the preparation to avoid the crystals from melting. Pour 20 ml. of propylene glycol in an airtight container. Add an equal amount of double-distilled water using a pipette. Stir the mixture slowly for a minute using a glass stirrer. Allow the suspension to stand for 10 minutes without stirring. Add an excess of 10 percent propylene glycol slowly using a clean pipette. Try to achieve a ratio of 60-100 percent propylene glycol to 50 percent distilled water. This is to ensure formation of glass-like solid crystals and to allow the glycol to increase in viscosity.
Measure the concentration of crystals in the aqueous solution using the refractive index technique and a laboratory refractor or spectrometer to measure the speed of light in a given distance. A solution containing a large portion of crystalline structures will slow down the passage of light, hence producing lower refractive values. Create equal-sized crystals by adding an excess of propylene glycol and simultaneously checking the spectroscopy, to soak up as much water as possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment