African Journal of Natural Sciences 2013, 16, 1 – 20 www.ajns.org.ng/ojs ISSN: 1119-1104 EVOLUTION OF THE NIGERIAN POLYMER AND PAPER BANK NOTES; THE CHALLENGES OF COST-BENEFIT AND STRUCTURE – PROPERTY ADVANTAGES *1Dalen, M. B., 2Ibrahim,. A. Q.,. 3Adamu, H. M. and 3Chindo, I. Y. 1.Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Jos, Nigeria 2. Environmental Management Technology Programme, School of Environmental Technology, ATBU Bauchi, Nigeria 3Chemistry Programme, School of Science, ATBU Bauchi, Nigeria Email: [email protected] (Received 14th May 2013; Accepted 4th September 2013) ABSTRACT Synthetic polymers have become an indispensable part of our everyday life since their introduction over 100 years ago. This paper highlights the application and utilization of polymers in medicine, food and agriculture, housing and environment, engineering, electrical and electronics, particularly the use of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), a crystalline conformer that exists in monoclinic, hexagonal and trigonal shapes in the production of films for banknotes which in Nigeria today is facing photo-degradation challenges resulting to fading and brittleness. These challenges have prompted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to contemplate the scrapping of the polymer notes. The paper examines and compares cellulose, a natural polymer and a base material used for “paper” banknotes with BOPP, a synthetic polymer utilized for “polymer” banknotes in terms of physical and chemicals properties, ease of incorporation of security features amongst others in the light of the present challenges. The evolution of money in Nigeria from British West Africa to date is also highlighted. INTRODUCTION affordable prices. (Cowie, 1973, Walker – It is well known that there are three (3) basic Homes, 1975). needs of man; food, shelter and clothing (Nkeonye, 1990). However, if man depends In housing and domestic environment, only on natural sources such as cotton, wool, synthetic polymeric products have replaced silk, hides and skins for clothing, sourcing most of the traditional materials for roofing, for these materials for the over six (6) billion wall clothing, furniture, table cloth, flooring people in the world today would definitely (tiles/rugs) and structural fittings such as have tasked the human productive ability. To doors, windows, sinks, baths and water solve this problem, human intellect therefore cistern at reduced cost and enhanced invented such synthetic fibres as nylons, aesthetic appeal (Obande, 1991). polyethylene terepthalate (PET), teflon (polytetrafloroethylene-PTFE), creslan In food and agriculture: Packaging and (polyacrylonitrile), vestolen, ulastron, storage of products are achieved almost polyethylene (PE), polypropylene(PP) et exclusively with the use of plastic bags, films certra. These are used as fabrics, braiding and containers. Polyvinylchloride (PVC), PE cordage, bristles, yatch sails and protective and woven PP are used extensively here clothing and in many of these applications (Walker – Homes, 1975). Furthermore, they out – perform the natural fibers buried perforated plastic pipes are (Nkeonye, 1990). At present, it is not always extensively used to drain and aerate marshy easy to distinguish visually between the soils for improved crop yield. Similarly, footwear made of natural leather from that fertilizers are being formulated with soluble made of synthetic leather materials which and biodegradable plastics to provide slow- provide comfort to millions of people at release media in order to save costs and check soil pollution (Onyido et al, 2012). 1 African Journal of Natural Sciences 2013, 16, 1 – 20 www.ajns.org.ng/ojs In medicine: Almost all equipments in of 58% (Blythe, 1980). In 1988 alone, an hospitals are made of one form of polymer or estimated 45,400 tones was used as the other ranging from stethoscope, compared to 4,500 tones for 1983. Polymers polyamide surgical sutures, to the complex with conjugated double bonds have been machines. Furthermore, damaged blood found to conduct electricity and heat due to vessels can be replaced using plastic pipes the presence of delocalized π-electrons, and a few bones can also be replaced with such polymers include polyacetylene, plastic mouldings. The target now is to polyphenylenesulphide and replace lungs, kidneys and liver with plastics. Polyparaphenylene, amongst others (Dyson, In addition, biodegradable plastics have been 1992). It is also worth mentioning their developed as slow drug- release agents so applications in areas such as photo- that diabetic patients no longer need to be conductors in electro-reprographic industry, subjected to the discomfort of daily insulin non-linear optics in telecommunication intake as well as intake of contraceptives for industry, that is frequency doublers, photo- family planning (Dyson, 1992). resists (sensitizers in screen printing). Their pyroelectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric In electrical, electronics and audiovisual: properties have been employed in such Polymers are typically utilized in electrical applications as sonar hydrophone, ultrasonic and electronic application as insulators transducers, pyroelectric sensory, audio where advantage is taken of their very high frequency transducers and electro- volume resistivity of 108 - 1016 ohm/m as mechanical devices. Polydiacetylene and against 108 - 1012 for ceramics and 10-8 - 10-4 polyvinylidine floride (PVDF) have been ohm/m for typical conductors. For this used in this regard. PVDF in particular has reason a very thin costing of plastics such as generated much interest in application in PTFE is sufficient to withstand thousands of medical imaging because of the close volts at high temperatures (Marshal, 1978). acoustic impedance match between it and body tissues (Marshal, 1978, Dyson, 1992). Similar uses include cable sheathing, dielectric layers, and films for printed In engineering: Polymers have contributed circuit substrates and semi-conductors. tremendously to the field of engineering, Encapsulants from PTFE, PE, PVC which ranges from the vulcanization of combine rare qualities of very high natural rubber to mouldable formations resistivities and adequate mechanical useful for making rain coats, water-proof performance at extreme frequencies, boots, solid tyres to high load bearing glass temperatures and chemical environment and fibre-reinforced plastics (Punmia, et al, would continue to provide the bedrock 2001). Natural and synthetic rubbers are used necessary for any foreseeable advancement in several applications such as carpets, cover in the electrical, electronics and audio- for chairs, car bodies etc. Similarly the visual industry. PVC in particular is being adhesive and surface coating industries have used for audio-disc, tapes and video discs grown astronomically as a result of early making pocket video recorders, and cameras patented works of Hugo Backland et al perfect achievements (Kawai, 1984). (1907) on phenolic formaldehyde (PF), urea formaldehyde (UF), melamine formaldehyde Some other polymers also exhibit typical (MF) resins (Obande, 1991). The bond properties such as strength, flexibility, strength of these adhesives compares elasticity, stability, mouldability and ease of favourably with that of steel. These handling have increased research and characteristics are employed in aircraft, development have led to the production of spacecraft and building industries, as well as conductive polymers. In the United States in the shoe and allied industries. The molded of America, the use of conductive plastics resins provide excellent workings for the has been predicted to grow at an annual rate electrical, furniture and domestic ware 2 African Journal of Natural Sciences 2013, 16, 1 – 20 www.ajns.org.ng/ojs industries; for example, highly transparent administration. The pounds and shillings were acrylic sheets, polymethyl methacrylate changed to Naira (N) and kobo (K), and three (PMMA) – perspex were developed in the denominations of notes were issued as follows; 1930s to replace glass for many applications N1; N5 and N10. In response to rapid because of its light weight, low cost and ease economic growth made possible by the oil of fabrication. Though it has not completely boom, N20, and N50 note denominations were replaced inorganic glass because of its poor added in 1977 and 1991 respectively. abrasion resistance, research is in progress to Considering cost effectiveness and expansion improve this deficiency (Obande 1991, Kani of economic activities, higher denomination and Kani 2005). Similarly in the automobile notes were issued. These were the 100 Naira industry, polypropylene is used for the note (1999) and 200 Naira note (2000). The production of under bonnet and interior parts, 500 Naira note was released in April, 2001 mainly by injection or blow mouldings which while the 1000 Naira note was released in th are coloured, durable, light and cheaper to October, 2005. On February 28 2007, as part produce than metal fabrications (Punmia et al, of the economic reforms, N50, N20, N10 and 2001). N5 banknotes and N1 and 5K coins, were reissued in new designs, while N2 coin was In the construction industry, plastic materials introduced (CBN, 2009). continue to provide better substitutes for ceramics and metals especially in pipes, gears HISTORY OF POLYMER BANK NOTES and component housing, mainly because of In 1983, Costa Rica and Haiti issued the first their ease of processing, greater resistance to Tyvek and the Isle of Man