Resumen de Rayon from Dryer Lint:: A Demonstration
In this demonstration, ordinary household dryer lint from the laundering of cotton items is stirred into the traditional Schweizer reagent mixture, a saturated solution of copper (II) carbonate in concentrated ammonium hydroxide. Any insoluble material (i.e. hair) is removed with a glass rod. The resulting deep blue viscous solution is taken up in an eye dropper and extruded into a 190 x 100 mm glass recrystallizing dish, which contains a dilute (3M) solution of sulfuric acid. Threads of rayon several cm in length can be thus formed. These threads are best viewed by the audience on an overhead projector. The sulfuric acid solution and threads are disposed of in compliance with local environmental regulations.
