polymers

polymers

1. What are they?

   • are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules. The materials have unique properties, depending on the type of molecules being bonded and how they are bonded

2. STRUCTURE

   • Many common classes of polymers are composed of hydrocarbons, compounds of carbon and hydrogen. These polymers are specifically made of carbon atoms bonded together, one to the next, into long chains that are called the backbone of the polymer.

3. CHARACTERISTICS

   • are very light in weight with significant degrees of strength.
   • can be both thermal and electrical insulators.
   • can be very resistant to chemicals.
   • can be processed in various ways.
   • are materials with a seemingly limitless range of characteristics and colors.
   • are usually made of petroleum, but not always.
   • can be used to make items that have no alternatives from other materials.

4. CLASSIFICATION

   • Natural Polymers:
     • They occur naturally and are found in plants and animals. For example, proteins, starch, cellulose and rubber. To add, we also have biodegradable polymers which are called biopolymers.
   • Semi-synthetic Polymers:
     • They are derived from naturally occurring polymers and undergo further chemical modification. For example, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate.
   • Synthetic Polymers:
     • These are man-made polymers. Plastic is the most common and widely used synthetic polymer. It is used in industries and various dairy products. For example, nylon-6, 6, polyether’s etc.

5. TYPES

   • Organic
   • Inorganic

6. TYPES REACTIONS

   • Addition
     • This is also called as chain growth polymerization. In this, small monomer units joined to form a giant polymer. In each step length of chain increases. For example, Polymerization of ethane in the presence of Peroxides
   • Condensation
     • In this type small molecules like H2O, CO, NH3 are eliminated during polymerization. Generally, organic compounds containing bifunctional groups such as idols, -dials, diamines, dicarboxylic acids undergo this type of polymerization reaction. For example, Preparation of nylon -6, 6.

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