Polymers : Polymers is the chief products of modern chemical

industry. Polymers from the backbone of the modern civilization. In

almost all walks of life, starting from household utensils, clothes,
furniture etc. to automobiles to space aircrafts, polymers are
extensively use. Some of the things are provided by nature as such
while most of the others are fabricated from natural resources by
the people of different skills. For a common person rubber means
the material used in types, plastics means material used in
manufacture of electrical equipment. This is quite correct but the
scientists and chemists thinkans perform investigation about it and
its modified from is useful for society.

Simple organic molecules contain 30-40 units of carbon atom.

Natural rubber has molecular mass of about 22000 units. Molecular
mass of starch is 40000 units or higher. Molecular of protein have
molecular range thousand up to million. The substance having high
molecular mass was reluctantly accept in the early twentieth
century. In the 1920's a German chemist Herman Staudinger (1882-
1965) introduced the new tern-macromolecule of giant molecules.
He also devised his own experiments to find out the molecular mass
of polymers. For this valuable work, he was awarded Noble Prize for
1953.

Macromolecules, both natural and man-made, owe their great size

to the fact that they are polymers (Greek-many parts); that is, each
one is made up of a great many simpler units-identical to each other
or at least chemically polymerization. The joining together of many
small molecules to form very large molecules. The simple
compound from which polymers are made are called monomers.

Classification of Polymers

 Classification Based Upon Sources.

 Classification Based Upon Structure.
 Classification Based Upon Synthesis.
 Classification Based Upon Molecular Forces.

Classification of Polymers based upon Sources :

 Depending on the source the polymers are classified into two
classes :
 Natural Polymers.
 Synthetic Polymers.

Natural Polymers :
The polymers obtained from nature i.e. from plants and animals are
called Natural Polymers. These include starch cellulose proteins,
nucleic acids and natural rubbers.

Synthetic Polymers :
The polymers synthesized by man in the laboratory are called
Synthetic Polymers. These are long-chain organic, molecules
containing thousands of monogenic units some of these polythene,
polyesters, PVC, Teflon, Nylon, Bakellite and Decron.

Classification based upon Structure

On the bases of structure polymers are divided into three types :

1.
Linear Polymers :
In these polymers, the monomers are joined together to form long
straight chains of polymer molecules. Some important example of
linear polymers are high density polythene, nylon, polyesters etc.

2.
Branched Chain Polymers :
In these polymers, the monomers units not only combine to produce
the linear chain but also form branches along the main chain.

For example : Low density polythene, glycogen etc. are the Branched
Chain Polymers.

3.
Three-dimensional Network Polymers :
 In these polymers the initially formed linear polymers chains are
joined to form three dimensional network structure.

Classification based on Synthesis :

1. Addition Polymers.
2. Condensational Polymers.

Additional Polymerization and Additional

Polymers :
When the monomer molecules are joined together to form long
chain without the elimination of any by product the product formed
is called an Additional Polymer and the process involved is called
Addition Polymerization.

Condensation Polymers :
A large number of monomer molecules combined together usually
with the loss of a simple molecule like water, ammonia and Co2 etc.
in which formula of repeating structural unit is not same as that of
monomer. e.g. Nylon66, Bakelite


Hermann Staudinger, father of polymer chemistry

 

Wallace Carothers, inventor of nylon.

Stephanie Kwolek, inventor of Kevlar.

Polymers are high molecular mass compounds formed by polymerization of monomers. The simple
reactive molecule from which the repeating structural units of a polymer are derived is called a monomer.
A polymer can be described in many ways: its degree of polymerisation, molar mass
distribution, tacticity, copolymer distribution, the degree of branching, by its end-
groups, crosslinks, crystallinity and thermal properties such as its glass transition temperature and melting
temperature. Polymers in solution have special characteristics with respect to solubility, viscosity,
and gelation. Illustrative of the quantitative aspects of polymer chemistry, particular attention is paid to the

number-average and weight-average molecular weights and , respectively.

The formation and properties of polymers have been rationalized by many theories including Scheutjens–
Fleer theory, Flory–Huggins solution theory, Cossee-Arlman mechanism, Polymer field theory, Hoffman
Nucleation Theory, Flory-Stockmayer Theory, and many others.
Segments of polypropylene, showing the slightly different structures of isotactic (above) and syndiotactic (below)
polymers.

Classification[edit]
Origin[edit]
Polymers can be subdivided into biopolymers and synthetic polymers according to their origin. Each one of
these classes of compounds can be subdivided into more specific categories in relationship to their use
and properties

A strand of cellulose showing the hydrogen bonds (dashed) within and between the chains.

Biopolymers are the structural and functional materials that comprise most of the organic matter in
organisms. One major class of biopolymers are proteins, which are derived from amino
acids. Polysaccharides, such as cellulose, chitin, and starch, are biopolymers derived from sugars. The
polynucleic acids DNA and RNA are derived from phosphorylated sugars with pendant nucleotides that
carry genetic information.
Synthetic polymers are the structural materials manifested in plastics, synthetic fibers, paints, building
materials, furniture, mechanical parts, and adhesives. Synthetic polymers may be divided
into thermoplastic polymers and thermoset plastics. Thermoplastic polymers
include polyethylene, teflon, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, Poly(methyl
methacrylate), polyvinyl chloride, nylons, and rayon. Thermoset
plastics include vulcanized rubber, bakelite, Kevlar, and polyepoxide. Almost all synthetic polymers are
derived from petrochemicals.

Characteristics of Polymers

The majority of manufactured polymers are thermoplastic, meaning that once the
polymer is formed it can be heated and reformed over and over again. This
property allows for easy processing and facilitates recycling. The other group, the
thermosets, cannot be remelted. Once these polymers are formed, reheating will
cause the material to ultimately degrade, but not melt.

Every polymer has very distinct characteristics, but most polymers have the
following general attributes.

1. Polymers can be very resistant to chemicals. Consider all the cleaning

fluids in your home that are packaged in plastic. Reading the warning
labels that describe what happens when the chemical comes in contact
with skin or eyes or is ingested will emphasize the need for chemical
 resistance in the plastic packaging. While solvents easily dissolve some
plastics, other plastics provide safe, non-breakable packages for
aggressive solvents.

2. Polymers can be both thermal and electrical insulators. A walk through

your house will reinforce this concept, as you consider all the appliances,
cords, electrical outlets and wiring that are made or covered with polymeric
materials. Thermal resistance is evident in the kitchen with pot and pan
handles made of polymers, the coffee pot handles, the foam core of
refrigerators and freezers, insulated cups, coolers, and microwave
cookware. The thermal underwear that many skiers wear is made of
polypropylene and the fiberfill in winter jackets is acrylic and polyester.

3. Generally, polymers are very light in weight with significant degrees

of strength. Consider the range of applications, from toys to the frame
structure of space stations, or from delicate nylon fiber in pantyhose to
Kevlar, which is used in bulletproof vests. Some polymers float in water
while others sink. But, compared to the density of stone, concrete, steel,
copper, or aluminum, all plastics are lightweight materials.

4. Polymers can be processed in various ways. Extrusion produces thin

fibers or heavy pipes or films or food bottles. Injection molding can produce
very intricate parts or large car body panels. Plastics can be molded into
drums or be mixed with solvents to become adhesives or paints.
Elastomers and some plastics stretch and are very flexible. Some plastics
are stretched in processing to hold their shape, such as soft drink
bottles. Other polymers can be foamed like polystyrene (Styrofoam™),
polyurethane and polyethylene.

5. Polymers are materials with a seemingly limitless range of

characteristics and colors. Polymers have many inherent properties that
can be further enhanced by a wide range of additives to broaden their uses
and applications. Polymers can be made to mimic cotton, silk, and wool
fibers; porcelain and marble; and aluminum and zinc. Polymers can also
make possible products that do not readily come from the natural world,
such as clear sheets and flexible films.

6. Polymers are usually made of petroleum, but not always. Many

polymers are made of repeat units derived from natural gas or coal or
crude oil. But building block repeat units can sometimes be made from
renewable materials such as polylactic acid from corn or cellulosics from
cotton linters. Some plastics have always been made from renewable
materials such as cellulose acetate used for screwdriver handles and gift
ribbon. When the building blocks can be made more economically from
renewable materials than from fossil fuels, either old plastics find new raw
materials or new plastics are introduced.
7. Polymers can be used to make items that have no alternatives from
other materials. Polymers can be made into clear, waterproof films. PVC
is used to make medical tubing and blood bags that extend the shelf life of
blood and blood products. PVC safely delivers flammable oxygen in non-
burning flexible tubing. And anti-thrombogenic material, such as heparin,
can be incorporated into flexible PVC catheters for open heart surgery,
dialysis, and blood collection. Many medical devices rely on polymers to
permit effective functioning.