What is a polymer?

monomers

A long molecule made up from lots of small molecules called

POLYMERS

Polymers can be divided into 2 types :

naturally occurring polymers synthetic polymers

naturally occurring polymers

Polymers that exist in plants or animals Types of naturally occurring polymers

protein carbohydrates natural rubber

: muscles : cellulose : latex

synthetic polymers

Polymers made in industry from chemical substances

Scientists are able to copy structures of natural polymers to produce synthetic polymers trough scientific research

synthetic polymers

many of raw materials for synthetic polymers are obtain from types of synthetic polymers

-> petroleum
plastics fibers elastomers

same monomer...

Monomers all same type (A)

A+A+A+A

-A-A-A-A

eg poly(ethene) polychloroethene PVC

Different monomers...
Monomers of two different types A+B+A+B -A-B-A-B

Eg polyamides, Polyesters

Polymerisation

Addition Polymerisation

A carbon carbon double bond is needed in the monomer A monomer is the small molecule that makes up the polymer

H n

H high pressure/trace O2 C C catalyst H H ethene

H H C C H H

n poly(ethene)

Addition Polymerisation

The polymer is the only product Involves the opening out of a double bond

The conditions of the reaction can alter the properties of the polymer
Reaction proceeds by a free radical mechanism Oxygen often used as the initiator

Addition polymerisation

The board specifies that you know this addition polymerisation reaction
H H C C H H H H H C C C C H H

Addition polymerisation

Conditions are high pressure and an oxygen initiator (to provide the initial free radical). Monomer = phenylethene Polymer = poly(phenylethene)

Prediction the repeating unit

This is easy, basically open out the double bond.

Cl C C H H H H H C C C C H Cl H Cl poly(chloroethene) aka polyvinylchloride (pvc)

H H

chloroethene

Stereoisomerism in Addition polymers.

Ziegla and Natta in the 1950s cam up with a way of controlling the repeating unit.
They won a Joint Nobel prize for their work The polymerisation process can be controlled used a tin/aluminium catalyst at 50C and 1.5atm

Stereoisomerism in Addition polymers.

Previous to this only one type of poly(ethene) could be made, called LDPE or low density poly(ethane). The chains formed a tangled mass. HDPE could now be produced. This has a much stiffer structure due to areas of crytallinity where the polymer chains are much more ordered.

Continues...

HDPE has a much higher boiling point due to these more ordered regions. Generally used to make plastic bottles. Ziegler and Natta also discovered that they could make stereo regular polymers. Isotactic, syndiotactic and atactic.

Condensation Polymers

Involves 2 monomers that have different functional groups. They also involve the elimination of water or another small molecule. Hence the term condensation polymer. Monomer A + Monomer B Polymer + small molecule (normally water). Common condensation polymers include polyesters (the ester linkage) and polyamides (the amide linkage as in proteins).

Polyesters

The OCR example here is terylene, a polymer of benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2-diol. The ester linkage is formed between the monomers

O C O the ester linkage

Polyesters

You need to be able to reproduce the formation of terylene, and possibly predict the structures of other polyesters
O n HO C O C OH + n HO CH2 CH2 OH heat with an acid catalyst O C O C O CH2 CH2 O n poly(ethan-1,2-diyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate)

Polyamides

These involve the linkage of two monomers through the amide linkage as in proteins (e.g. silk)

O C N H the amide linkage

Nylon 6,6 a polyamide

H N H 1,6-diaminohexane (CH2)6 N

H H

O C HO (CH2)4 C

O OH hexanedioic acid

O N H (CH2)6 N C H part of a nylon polymer chain

O (CH2)4 C

Kevlar a polyamide
O H2N NH2 C HO (CH2)4 C OH O

O N H N C H part of the kevlar polymer chain (CH2)4

O C

Uses of polyamides

The main use of polyesters and polyamides is as fibres in clothing. Most clothing now has a degree of manufactured fibres woven into the natural material (such as cotton). This gives the material more desirable characteristics, such as stretchiness, and better washability. Dont forget that proteins are also polyamides, you must know how the linkage works with natural polymers such as proteins.

Thermoplastics (80%)

No cross links between chains.

Weak attractive forces between chains broken by warming. Change shape - can be remoulded. Weak forces reform in new shape when cold.

Thermosets

Extensive cross-linking covalent bonds.

formed

by

Bonds prevent chains moving relative to each other. What will the properties of this type of plastic be like?

Longer chains make stronger polymers.

Critical length needed before strength increases. Hydrocarbon polymers average of 100 repeating units necessary but only 40 for nylons. Tensile strength measures the forces needed to snap a polymer. More tangles + more touching!!!

Crystalline polymers

Areas in polymer where chains packed in regular way. Both amorphous and crystalline areas in same polymer. Crystalline - regular chain structure - no bulky side groups. More crystalline polymer stronger and less flexible.

Properties of plastics

Light
strong

malleable
inert to chemical

insulators of electricity and heat

Properties of plastics

Strong Inert to chemical attacks Easily molded or shaped and be colored Cheap Able to resist corrosion Special properties can be made according to specific needs

Environmental pollution !!!

Most of the polymers are non-biogradeable

Cannot be decomposed by bacteria / decomposer

So caused disposal problem when polymer not decay

Environmental pollution !!!

Plastics items discarded

Blockage of drainage systems & rivers

So caused flash floods

Environmental pollution !!!

Polymer containers not buried in the ground Become breeding ground for mosquitoes So caused diseases such as dengue

Environmental pollution !!!

The non-biogradeable polymers thrown into rivers > lakes -> seas
Swallowed by aquatic animals Animals die due to chocking

Environmental pollution !!!

Open burning of polymers

Released harmful, poisonous gases

Cause air pollution

Contributes to acid rain problem

Ways to dispose synthetic polymer properly

PYROLISIS-burn without oxygen

INCINERATION-gas is filtered INVENT A POLYMER BIODEGRADEABLE SYNTHETIC

CATEGORY

Code

Example

DENSITY

PETE

Pop bottle Peanut butter jar Mylar

Milk jug Shampoo bottle Pipes and fittings, pill bottles, shower curtains, garden hoses, tile, leather like luggage and upholstery Trash bags Diaper liners Indoor/outdoor carpeting, kitchenware Styrofoam Pen casing Clear plastic cups Toothpaste and cosmetic containers

1.38 1.39

2 3

HDPE V

0.95 0.97 1.15 1.35

4 5 6

LDPE PP PS

0.92 0.94 0.90 0.91 1.05 1.07

OTHER

DISPOSING OF SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

Separate the synthetic polymers from other wastes. Recycle Reuse

Possible Questions!!!

What is a monomer? Explain polymerization and its types? Examples of polymers? Classification of polymers. What are thermosets and thermoplastics? Explain the structural differences between thermosets and thermoplastics? What are the effects of heat and force on thermoplastics and thermosets? Differntiate thermosets and thermoplastics. Properties and limitations of plastics What are different additives? Classification of additvies and its properties List the polymers used in automobile.