POLYMERS!

MONOMER • Repeating molecular units

• Connected into polymers by covalent bonds.

The word monomer comes from mono- (one) and -mer (part). Monomers are
small molecules that may be joined together in a repeating fashion to form more
complex molecules called polymers. Monomers form polymers by forming chemical
bonds or binding supramolecular through a process called polymerization.

A monomer is a type of molecule that has the ability to bond with other
molecules in a long chain chemically; a polymer is a chain of an unspecified number
of monomers. Essentially, monomers are the building blocks of polymers, which are
more complex types of molecules.
POLYMERS
• A large molecule (macromolecule) is built up by repetitive
bonding (covalent) of smaller molecules (monomers)
• Generally, it does not have a well-defined structure or
molecular weight.
• Need to use statistical properties to describe.

The word polymer comes from poly- (many) and -mer (part). While many people use the
term 'polymer' and 'plastic' interchangeably, polymers are a much larger class of molecules that
includes plastics, plus many other materials, such as cellulose, amber, and natural rubber.
Polymers make up many of the materials in living organisms and are the basis of
many minerals and man-made materials. They have a wide range of applications and are
essential in various industries, such as plastics, textiles, adhesives, and packaging. The
structure and properties of polymers can vary significantly based on the choice of
monomers and the polymerization process employed.
POLYMERIZATION

-process in which relatively

small molecules, called monomers,
combine chemically to produce a very
large chainlike or network molecule,
called a polymer. The monomer
molecules may be all alike, or they may
represent two, three, or more different
compounds. Usually, at least 100
monomer molecules must be combined
to make a product that has certain
unique physical properties—such as
elasticity, high tensile strength, or the
ability to form fibers—that differentiate
polymers from substances composed of
smaller and simpler molecules; often,
many thousands of monomer units are
incorporated in a single molecule of a
polymer. The formation of stable
covalent chemical bonds between the
monomers sets polymerization apart
from other processes, such as
crystallization, in which large numbers
of molecules aggregate under the
influence of weak intermolecular
forces.
CLASSIFICATION
OF
POLYMERS
 CLASSIFICATION OF
POLYMERS BASED ON:
• ORIGIN
• CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
• POLEMRIC STRUCTURE
• ARRANGEMENT OF MONOMERS
• TACTICITY
• THERMAL BEHAVIOR
• MOLECULAR FORCES
• MODES OF SYNTHESIS
 BASED ON ORIGIN:
1. Natural Polymers
-Polymers that are obtained from animals and plants are known as natural polymers. A
few examples of natural polymers are:
a) Polysaccharides: They are the polymers of glucose. The monomer of polysaccharides is a
monosaccharide.
b) Proteins: These are the polymers of amino acids. They are building blocks of animal cells.
They constitute an indispensable part of our food. Wool, natural silk, etc., are proteins.
c) Nucleic acids: These are the polymers of various nucleotides. RNA and DNA are common
examples.
d) Natural rubber: The substance obtained from latex is a polymer of isoprene.

2. Synthetic Polymers
The polymer prepared in the laboratory is referred to as synthetic polymers or man-made
polymers. Examples are; PVC, polyethylene, polystyrene, synthetic rubber, nylon-6,nylon-66.
Etc
BASED ON
CHEMICAL
STRUCTURE:

• Homopolymer
- is a polymer made from many
copies of a single repeating unit.

• Copolymer
-usually into long chains, of
molecules of two or more simple
compounds (the monomers forming
the polymer).
 Linear Polymers
-Linear polymers are polymers in which monomeric units are linked
together to form long straight chains. The chains are very well ordered in relation to
one another, and The structure is densely packed.

BASED ON POLYMERIC STRUCTURE:

BASED ON
POLYMERIC
STRUCTURE:
 BASED ON
POLYMERIC
STRUCTURE:
Cross-Linked Polymers
-In these polymers, the
initially formed linear polymeric
chains are joined together to
form a three-dimensional
network structure. These
polymers are hard, rigid, and
brittle.
BASED ON
ARRANGEMENT OF
MONOMERS:

Block Polymer
-comprised of two or more
chemically different chains joined
together by covalent bonds, a polymer
comprising molecules in which there is
a linear arrangement of blocks
Graft Polymer
-of two or more different
chemical chains in which a chain
(named backbone) has multiple
branches formed from macromolecular
chains with a chemical composition
different from that of the backbone.
BASED ON TACTICITY:
Isotactic
-Polymers with isotactic tacticity have
pendant groups highly ordered around the
hydrocarbon backbone chain. The pendant
groups are all located on one side of the
hydrocarbon backbone chain.

Syndiotactic
-Polymers with syndiotactic tacticity
have pendant groups in ordered, alternating
patterns around the hydrocarbon backbone
chain. The pendant groups can be located on any
side of the hydrocarbon backbone chain, but they
present regular patterns.

Atactic
-Polymers with atactic tacticity have
pendant groups in disordered, random patterns
around the hydrocarbon backbone chain.
BASED ON THERMAL BEHAVIOR:
1. Thermoplastic
-The polymer that softens on heating and can be
converted into any shape on cooling is called thermoplastics.
The process of heating, reshaping, and retaining the shape on
cooling can be repeated several times without affecting their
properties much. Examples are Polycarbonate,
Polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.

2. Thermosetting
-When these polymers are heated they cannot be
reversed back to the original shape and cannot be reused. For
example, erasers, balloons, etc.
BASED ON MOLECULAR FORCES:
The mechanical properties of polymers, such as tensile strength, toughness, elasticity,
and so on, are determined by intermolecular forces in the macromolecules, such as Van der
Waal forces and hydrogen bonds. Polymers are classified into four types based on the magnitude
of their intermolecular forces.

1. Elastomers
-An elastomer is a plastic that stretches and then reverts to its original shape. It is an
amorphous polymer that is randomly oriented.

2. Fibers
-Fibers are linear polymers with hydrogen bonds or dipole-dipole attraction holding the
individual chains of polymer together. Fibers have the highest tensile strength and negligible
elasticity due to strong intermolecular forces of attraction and highly ordered geometry.
Cellulose, nylon, wool, silk, etc., are some examples of fibers.
 BASED ON
MODES OF
SYNTHESIS:
1. Addition polymers
– Addition polymers are
formed by a reaction in which
monomer units simply add to
one another. The monomers
usually contain carbon–carbon
double bonds.
BASED ON MODES
OF SYNTHESIS:

Condensation polymers
– Condensation polymers
are formed by the reaction of bi-
or polyfunctional molecules, with
the elimination of some small
molecule (such as water) as a by-
product. Examples include
polyester, polyamide,
polyurethane, and polysiloxane.
 • Polymers consist of extended molecules that contain chains of carbon
linked to each other in a regular pattern. As they are held together to form

STRUCTURE
concentrated covalent bonds. Intermolecular forces between the long chains appear
to be more colossal than simple molecules.
• Polymer molecules may combine up to millions of monomers (mers) forming a

OF A one-dimensional structure (chain), two-dimensional structure (planar molecules)

or three-dimensional structure. For instance, organic polymers are compounds

POLYMER
built from hydrocarbon base monomer units. Aside from hydrogen and carbon being
incorporated in polymer molecules, oxygen, nitrogen, chorine, fluorine, silicon,
phosphorous, and sulfur can as well be part of the atoms linked in a long chain.
• Polymers are divided into different structures such as branched polymer,
copolymer, graft copolymer and block copolymer.
PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
• Tensile strength determines a polymer's ability to elongate
without breaking, thereby impacting its overall strength and
durability.
• Polymers generally exhibit high melting and boiling points,
which rise with stronger intermolecular forces and longer chains.
Hard polymers resist penetration, withstand wear and tear, and
find use in constructing devices.
• Density categorizes polymers as high-density or low-density
based on their mass differences.
• Heat capacity and conductivity determine a polymer's
insulation capabilities, with molecular stiffness dictating its heat
conduction.
• Thermal expansion measures a polymer's dimensional
changes with temperature variations.
• Elasticity correlates with weak intermolecular bonds, enabling
greater stretchability. Permeability refers to a polymer's particle
passage tendency, with low-density polyethylene employed for
air-tight food packaging.
• Most polymers exhibit poor electrical conductivity, but
conductive polymers featuring carbon-carbon double bonds are
utilized in modern semiconductor devices to enhance electrical
conduction.
 PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
• Bonding and reactivity
– The strong covalent bond and other weak forces such as
hydrogen bonding between the particles of polymers determine its
property like reactivity. Generally, polymers are resistant to
chemicals due to their low reactivity.

• Interaction between the reactive groups

– Intermolecular forces among the monomers is decided by
their dipole. The carbonyl group (amide group) present at the side
chains of the monomers is responsible for the formation of the
hydrogen bond.

• Adhesion of polymers on the surface, its interaction with coating,

and the external environment also affects their quality, like paints.

• Biodegradability
– Polymers can degrade by the action of decomposers.
Natural polymers like rubber are biodegradable, while synthetic
polymers are non-biodegradable.
PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
-Optical refractive index and the
high frequency permittivity are linked
in electromagnetic theory. Absorption
of optical radiation occurs by
rearrangements of electrons within
molecules (visible and ultraviolet) and
excitation of bond vibrations (infrared).
Additionally, scattering phenomena
play a major role in determining optical
properties. Light scattering is a display
of optical diffraction processes, which
takes place noticeably in polymer
materials due to their having
microstructural features of dimensions
comparable with optical wavelengths
(Hall 1981).
COPOLYMERIZATION

A variety of
monomers react to undergo
polymerization to form
polymers known as
copolymers.
 USES OF POLYMERS
• Polyethylene
also known as polythene, used for manufacturing various containers, dispensing bottles, tubes, plastic parts for computer
components, and various molded laboratory equipment.
• Polycarbonate (PC)
The main applications of this compound are in CDs, filter containers, bottles, showcases, partitions, etc.
• Polyurethane (PU)
This option is widely used in metal sheets, car upholstery, thermal insulation in waterproof clothing, casing, coatings, films, belts and
frames.
• Polystyrene (PS)
It can be used in the manufacture of thermal insulation, air-conditioner fan cover, and toys, as well as machine and automobile parts.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
is one of the most produced synthetic polymers in the world. Its main applications are in partitions, translucent roof tiles, pipes and
connections for water, window blinds, sewers and ventilation.
• Polypropylene (PP)
belonging to the group of polyolefins, polypropylene, also called polypropene, is a thermoplastic compound produced by
polymerization by adding the propylene monomer. It can be applied in containers for food, chemicals, fibers, oriented films, hospital material,
among others.
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
is a thermoplastic composed of the reaction between ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. In general, this polymer is applied in the
manufacture of wires, fabrics, beverage packaging, cleaning products, brooms, food, soft drinks, and others.
• Rubber
there are many different kinds of rubber, but they all fall into two broad types: natural rubber and synthetic rubber.
• Nylons,
used for textiles, carpets, molded parts, zip ties, conveyor belts, hoses, polymer-framed weapons, seat belts, parachutes, ropes, and
industrial cords.
• Silicone,
Silicone rubber is widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, medical, electricity, food processing, etc.