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Lecture 01 (29.05.2023)

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20 views

Lecture 01 (29.05.2023)

Uploaded by

skbhayday1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Polymer: Polymers are macromolecules of high molecular masses built up by the linking together of a large

number of small, repeated units by a covalent bond. For example : Polyethylene.

Monomer : A molecule of low molecular weight capable of reacting with identical or different molecules
of low molecular weight to form a polymer is called monomer. Example : Ethylene.

Polymer Structure Monomer


1. Polyethylene [CH2 − CH2 ]𝑛 H2C═CH2 (Ethylene)
2. Polyvinyl Chloride [CH2 − CHCl]n H2C=CHCl (Vinyl Chloride)

Repeating Unit (Mer): The smallest unit whose repetition produces the complete polymer chain (except for
the end-groups) is called repeating unit.

End groups: The structural units that terminate the polymer chains.

CH3 CH2 (CH2 CH2 ) n CH = CH2


End group Repeating Unit End Group

Degree of Polymerization: The number of repeating units (n) in a polymer chain formed is known as the
degree of polymerization. Here, n is the degree of polymerisation.

nCH2 = CH2 → (CH2 − CH2 )n


Ethene (Monomer) Polythene (Polymer)

Molecular weight of polymer = Molecular weight of repeating unit × degree of polymerization.

 Difference between Polymer and Monomer:


Polymer Monomer
1. A polymer is a macroscopic material built 1. A monomer is a single repeating unit that is
from a large number of repeating single units covalently bound to form polymers.
bound together.
2. Polymers are complex molecules with very 2. Monomers are simple molecules with low
high molecular weight. molecular weights.
3. A polymer will always have a single repeating 3. A monomer can have different combination
unit. units.
4. Polymers are macroscopic molecules which 4. Monomers are small molecules in the
are stronger than monomers and are less microscopic scale and they are chemically more
susceptive towards chemicals. reactive than polymers.

5. High boiling point 5. Usually low boiling point


6. Mechanical strength is high 6. Mechanical strength is comparatively low
Classification of polymers : Polymer can be classified into several ways :
 Based on source :
1) Natural polymers: These polymers are isolated from natural material such as animals and
plants. For example, cotton, silk, wool, nucleic acids, proteins, starch, cellulose, natural
rubber, etc.
2) Synthetic polymers: Polymers synthesised from low molecular weight compounds are
called synthetic polymers. For example, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, terylene,
etc.

 Based on Composition :
1) Univalent or homo-polymers: These are formed with the same monomer units. For example,
polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.
2) Copolymers: These are formed with two or more different monomer units. For example,
Styrene butadiene rubber. Copolymers are classified into four categories depending upon the
nature of the distribution of different monomers in the polymer chain.
a) Random copolymer: These are formed by the random arrangement of monomer
units in the chain.
A-B-A-A-A-B-B-A-B-B

b) Alternating copolymers: Monomer units in a copolymer molecule are arranged in an


alternate manner.
A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B

c) Block copolymer: A block copolymer consists of one in which blocks of repeating


units of one monomer alternate with blocks another monomer.
A-A-A-A-B-B-B-B-A-A-A-A

d) Graft copolymer: This copolymer consists of a linear polymer chain of one


monomer to which side chain of different monomer has been grafted.

 Based on Chemical Composition:


1) Organic polymers: A polymer whose backbone chain is essentially made of carbon atoms is
termed as organic polymer. For example, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.
2) Inorganic polymers: Polymers that are formed by non-carbon-carbon bonds are inorganic
polymers. For example, polysilanes, polygermanes, etc.

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