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AUG 2015
Introduction to Polymer
Polymer is derived from Greek word (Poly = many &
mers = Units)
Polymers are macromolecules formed by the
combination of large number small molecules known as
monomers.
Therefore a monomer is a micromolucule composed of a
single unit
Like H2O, CO2, H2O2 etc.
Whereas polymer is a macromolecule composed of large
number of repeating units called monomer.
n CH2 = CH2 ( CH2 CH2 ) n
ethylene (monomer)
polythene or
polyetylene
H H
n C=C
H
Styrene
(monomer)
H H
C C
H
n
Polystyrene
(Polymer)
POLYMERISATION
Definition: Polymerisation is a chemical process in which a
number of monomers are linked together to form a polymer.
Polymerisation proceeds by the chemical combination of two
or more identical or different monomers with or with out the
elimination of small molecule like H2O, MeOH etc..
Functionality
Functionality of a monomer is no. of reactive sites or
bonding sites or functional group present in the
repeating units.
For a substance to act as a monomer, it must have at
least one double bond.
Polymerisation proceeds with breaking of these double
bonds.
Functionality is also given by the no. of functional groups
a molecule has.
Example: In case of ethylene, a double bond is broken
during homolytic cleavage in presence of uv light or heat
and each carbon atom gets converted to free radical.
Homolytic cleavage
CH2=CH 2
CH
n CH
2
hv
CH2 + CH2
CH
2
CH2
..
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH2
PE
CH2
CH2
Classification
1)
Based on origin:
The polymers obtained from nature (plants and
animals) are called natural polymers. These polymers
are very essential for life.
i) Natural : Known as Biopolymer: Examples are
Cellulose( polymer of glucose), protein, starch, fibres,
silk, wool etc
ii) Synthetic : Examples are polypropylene, polystyrene,
polyethylene etc
iii) Semi synthetic : These polymers are mostly derived
from naturally occurring polymers by chemical
modifications. Examples are Cellulosics such as
cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate ( gun cotton),
Rayon etc.
3) Based on Structure
i)
Linear Polymers : HDPE, Nylon, Polyester
ii)
Branched Polymers : LDPE, glycogen
iii)
Cross linked or three dimensional Polymers :Bakelite, urea
formaldehyde
4) Based on monomers
A polymer may consists of identical (Homopolymer) or different
monomers (Hetero polymer)
a)
Homopolymer
Polymer consists of identical monomer
- CH2 (CH2 CH2 ) CH2 CH2 - (polythene)
Other Examples are PS, PVC, PTFE,
Based on type of arrangements of identical monomers
i) Linear homopolymer
M
M
M
M
M1
M2
M1
M2
M1
Nylon 6:6
Nylon 6:6 is prepared by the condensation polymerisation between
hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid.
H
n
C N
H H 6H
Hexamethylene diamine
OH H
OH
H 4H
condensation
polymerisation
2n-1 H2O
Adipic acid
C
H
H
N
6H
Nylon 6:6
C
O
H 4O
OH
n
Based on arrangements
i) Linear heteropolymer
M1
M2
M1
M2
M1
M2
M1
M2
M1
M2
M1
M2
M1
M2
M1
M1
M2
M1
M2
M1
M1
M1
M1
M2
M2
M2
M2
M1
A A
B B
BLOCK POLYMER
GRAFT POLYMER
RANDOM POLYMER
i) Isotactic;
In this functional groups ( monomeric unit) are arranged in the same side
of the main chain
R R R R R R R
C C C C C C C
H H H H H H H
ii) Syndiotactic
In this functional groups ( monomeric unit) are arranged in the
same side of the main chain
R H R H R H R
C C C C C C C
H R HR H R H
iii) Atactic
In this functional group ( monomeric unit) are arranged at random
around the main chain.
R R H R R R
H C C C
C C C
H H R H H H
Thermosetting plastics:
Plastics that soften when heated and can be molded,
but harden permanently. They will decompose when
reheated.
Ex. Bakelite, urea formaldehyde, polyesters etc.
8)Based on synthesis
i) Addition Polymers: Involves addition of monomers to
one another to form a long polymer chain without
forming any by product.
Example: PE,PP, PVC, TEFLON.
ii) Condensation polymers
Involves addition of identical or different monomers to
one another to form a long polymer chain with the
elimination of by product.
Example: Bakelite, Nylon 6, Nylon11,Nylon6:6 etc.
Nylon 6:6
Nylon 6:6 is prepared by the condensation polymerisation between
hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid.
H
n
C N
H H 6H
Hexamethylene diamine
OH H
OH
H 4H
condensation
polymerisation
(2n -1)H2O
Adipic acid
C
H
H
N
6H
Nylon 6:6
C
O
H 4O
OH
n
Hydrophilic polymers
Ex. Ethyl cellulose,
silicones