SEMINAR ON

POLYMER SCIENCE

PRESENTED BY:
KANTILAL B. NARKHEDE
M.PHARM.1st SEMESTER

DEPT. OF P’CEUTICS,
SND COLLEGE OF PHARMACY.
 CONTENT:

 Introduction
 Types of Polymer
 Classification
 Polymerization
 Structure & Properties
Crystallinity
Glass Transition Temperature
 Pharmaceutical Applications
 INTRODUCTION
Definition :
A polymer is a large molecule (macromolecule)
composed of repeating structural unit connected by c
ovalent chemical bonds.

- The word is derived from the Greek words (poly), meaning

"many"; and (meros), meaning "part"
Example:- Butadiene

- They are complex and giant molecules and are different from
low molecular weight compounds

-`Macro-molecules’ are made up of much smaller molecule

 Types Of Linking In Polymers

 Linear Polymer:
A’________ (A)x-2 _________ A’’

X = degree of polymerization
A’ & A’’= terminal group

 Branched Polymer:

A’________ (A)n _________ Y _________ (A)n’ _________ Y _________

(A)n (A)n
 Cross linked Polymer:
Cross-links are bonds that link one polymer chain
to another. They can be covalent bonds or
ionic bonds.

 Linear & Branched Polymers are know as thermoplastic materials.

 Cross linked Polymer are know as thermosetting materials.

 Classification of Polymers
(According to their properties & characteristics.)

1) Natural and Synthetic Polymers.

2)Organic and Inorganic Polymers.
3)Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymers.
4)Plastics, Elastomers, Fibers, and Liquid Resins

1. Natural and Synthetic Polymers:

Natural Polymers Synthetic Polymer

-Cotton -Polyethylene
-silk -PVC
-wool -Nylon
-rubber 6
 2) Organic and Inorganic Polymers:

 A Polymer whose backbone chain is essentially made of carbon

atoms is termed an Organic polymer.

Examples- cellulose, proteins, polyethylene, nylons.

 A Polymer which does not have carbon atom in their

backbone chain is termed as Inorganic polymer.
Examples- Glass and silicone rubber

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 3) Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymer:
 Some polymer are soften on heating and can be converted into
any
shape that they can retain on cooling.

 Such polymer that soften on heating and stiffen on cooling are

termed as `thermoplastic’ polymers.

Ex. Polyethylene, PVC, nylon, sealing wax.

 Polymer that become an infusible and insoluble mass on

heating are called ‘thermosetting’ polymers.
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 4)Plastic, Elastomers, Fibers and Liquid Resins:

 A polymer is shaped into hard and tough utility articles by

application of heat and pressure, it is used as ‘plastic’
e.g. PVC

 When vulcanized into rubbery products exhibiting good

strength and elongation, polymers are used as ‘Elastomers’
e.g. Natural rubber

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 polymerization
 Polymerization is a process of bonding monomer, or
“single units” together through a variety of reaction
mechanisms to form longer chains named Polymer

 As important as polymers are, they exist with

monomers, which are small, single molecules such as
hydrocarbons and amino acids

 These monomers bond together to form polymers. The

process by which these monomers bond is called
polymerization
 • Addition polymerization

• A carbon – carbon double bond is needed in

the monomer
• A monomer is the small molecule that makes
up the polymer.

H H
H H high pressure/trace O2
n C C C C
catalyst
H H H H n
ethene
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.
• Conditions are high pressure and an oxygen
initiator.
• Oxygen often used to provide the initial free
radical.
 • Condensation Polymerisation
• 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).
 Condensation Polymers

• The example here is terylene, a polymer of

benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2-
diol.
O O
n HO C C OH + n HO CH2 CH2 OH
heat with
an acid
catalyst

O O
C C O CH2 CH2 O

poly(ethan-1,2-diyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate)
 • Chain polymerization
• Growth occurs only by addition of monomer to active
chain end.
• Monomer is present throughout, but its concentration
decreases.
• Polymer begins to form immediately.
• Chain growth is usually very rapid (second to
microseconds).
• MW and yield depend on mechanism details.
• Only monomer and polymer are present during reaction.
• Usually (but not always) polymer repeat unit has the same
atoms as had the monomer
 • Step polymerization
• Any two molecular species can react.
• Monomer disappears early.
• Polymer MW rises throughout.
• Growth of chains is usually slow (minutes to days).
• Long reaction times increase MW, but yield of
polymer hardly changes.
• All molecular species are present throughout.
• Usually (but not always) polymer repeat unit has
fewer atoms than had the monomer.
 • Molecular weight determination

• Molecular weight is determined by calculating the total

weight of polymer and total number of polymer.

M 
 NiMi
 Ni
n

• Mi- total wt. of polymer.

• Ni- no. of molecules.
 BIO DEGRADABLE POLYMER

• Biodegradable polymers can be classified in two:

• Natural biodegradable polymer

• Synthetic biodegradable polymer

• Synthetic biodegradable polymer are preferred more

than the natural biodegradable polymer because they
are free of immunogenicity & their physicochemical
properties are more predictable &reproducible

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7th Sept. 2010 KLECOP, Nipani
 FACTORS AFFECTING BIODEGRADATION OF
POLYMERS
PHYSICAL FACTORS
• Shape & size
• Variation of diffusion coefficient
• Mechanical stresses

CHEMICAL FACTORS
• Chemical structure & composition
• Presence of ionic group
• Distribution of repeat units in multimers
• configuration structure
• Molecular weight
• Morphology
• Presence of low molecular weight compounds
 CONTD

• Processing condition
• Annealing
• Site of implantation
• Sterilization process
• PHYSICOCHEMICAL FACTORS
• Ion exchange
• Ionic strength
• pH

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7th Sept. 2010 KLECOP, Nipani
ADVANTAGES OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS IN
DRUG DELEVERY
• Localized delivery of drug

• Sustained delivery of drug

• Stabilization of drug

• Decrease in dosing frequency

• Reduce side effects

• Improved patient compliance

• Controllable degradation rate

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7th Sept. 2010 KLECOP, Nipani