Kit didático com blendas poliméricas: explorando novas possibilidades no ensino de fotoluminescência e óptica

Abstract

This work presents the development of a teaching kit for teaching photoluminescence and optics in high school. It uses conjugated polymers, materials known for their semiconductor and photoluminescent properties, with great potential for technological applications. During the development of the kit, polymer blends were prepared in solid and liquid states. The blends were produced by mixing a bicomponent polymer resin with the photoluminescent polymer MEH-PPV (poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenvinylene]). Photoluminescent blends were also prepared using polyfluorenes. To prepare the photoluminescent polymer solutions, mixtures were made with acrylic varnish and the same photoluminescent polymers used in the preparation of the solid and liquid blends. The kit includes these blends and optical lenses and is accompanied by lesson plans that guide their application in the classroom, promoting a practical approach that encourages observation, questioning, and scientific experimentation by students. To evaluate the material's applicability, the kit was presented to high school students at a public school in Uberlândia, with the aim of sparking their interest in scientific topics. During the demonstration, concepts such as the visible light spectrum and the functioning of photoluminescent polymers were covered. The students' active participation highlighted the kit's potential as a teaching resource for experimental science education.