Making fluorescent beads and hydrogel

Based on the experiment of to make a fluorescent liquidWe are going to make gel balls and fluorescent hydrogel. This is a very colourful experiment, where you can appreciate the principles of superabsorbent polymers as well as of the fluorescence.

A superabsorbent polymer is a material that has the ability to absorb large amounts of liquid, as the name "superabsorbent" suggests. In this photo you can see the hydrogel in its dry state and when it has absorbed water. If you look at this photo, it is also the cover of the Experiments for Kids Facebook page.

We are now going to see how to make this fluorescent hydrogel, which glows with ultraviolet light when illuminated.

MATERIALS

Here are the materials used. We obtain them from Alquera

• Hydrogel
• Gel Balls
• Fluorescein Sodium
• Ultraviolet light

MAKING HYDROGEL POLYMER OR FLUORESCENT GEL BEADS

1. Take 2 glasses
2. Fill each of the glasses with water
3. Put a few flecks of fluorescein (no need for grams, a few flecks will be enough) in each of the beakers.
4. Turn off the light and turn on the UV light to see the fluorescence generated.
5. Pour 2 grams of hydrogel and 10 pellets into each of the beakers respectively.
6. Wait 15-30 minutes until the hydrogel and beads absorb the liquid.

Here you can watch the experiment on video 🙂

FLUORESCENT CORNER DECORATION

This fluorescent hydrogel will be useful to decorate a fluorescent corner in my brother's wedding. Here you can see how we have prepared the fluorescent wedding corner.