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Polymer

 
4.1 Polymer
 
Introduction to Polymer
  • There are various items around us that are made up of polymers such as protein, starch, polyethylene and nylon.
  • The basic unit of a polymer is called a monomer.
  • The reaction of monomer fusion to produce a polymer is called the polymerisation reaction.
  • Polymers can be classified into several groups based on the source of the polymer, the way the polymer is produced and the characteristics of the resulting polymer.
 
Definition of Polymer
A long chain molecule that is made from a combination of many repeating basic units.
 
Source of Polymer
  • Polymers consist of natural polymers or synthetic polymers.
  • Natural polymers are polymers that are produced naturally and can be obtained from the environment.
  • Examples of natural polymers include starch, protein and cotton.
  • Synthetic polymers are produced by humans through chemical reactions in laboratories or in factories.
  • Nylon, polyethylene, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are among the examples of synthetic polymers produced in the industrial sector.
  • Starch is a natural polymer made from glucose.
  • Meat is one of the sources of protein. Proteins are made from amino acids that are a type of monomer.
 
The image is a diagram titled ‘Sources of Polymer.’ It is divided into two sections. The first section, labeled ‘1,’ is titled ‘Natural polymers.’ The second section, labeled ‘2,’ is titled ‘Synthetic polymers.’ The background is white, and the text is in blue with red borders around the sections. The logo ‘Pandai’ is present in the top left corner.
 
Source of Polymer Polymer Monomer
Natural Starch Glucose
Natural Cellulose Glucose
Natural Protein Amino acid
Natural Natural rubber Isoprene
Synthetic Polystyrene Styrene
Synthetic Polypropene Propene
Synthetic Polyvinyl chloride Vinyl chloride
 
This is a flowchart diagram showing the types of polymers. It is divided into three main categories: 1. Thermoplastic polymers 2. Thermosetting polymers 3. Elastomer polymers The diagram is labeled ‘Types of Polymers’ on the left side. Each category is connected to its respective label with arrows.
 
Types of Polymer
Thermoplastic Polymers
  • The structure of thermoplastic polymers is as shown below:

The diagram shows the structure of thermoplastic polymers.

  • Characteristic of thermoplastic polymers:
    • Can be molded repeatedly after being heated and can be recycled.
    • When heated, the thermoplastic polymer melts and hardens when cooled.
  • Example:
    • Polyethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon..
Thermosetting Polymer
  • Th structure of thermosetting polymers is as shown below:

The diagram shows the structure of thermosetting polymers.

  • Characteristic of thermosetting polymers:
    • Cannot be remoulded after heating.
    • Normally disintegrate or burn upon heating and cannot be recycled.
  • Example:
    • Melamine, bakelite.
Elstomer Polymers
  • The structure of elastomer polymers is as shown below:

The diagram shows the structure of elastomer polymers.

  • Characteristic of elastomer polymers:
    • Can be stretched and can return to their original shape when released.
    • Possess high elasticity properties.
    • Example: Polyurethane, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR).
 
Polymerisation Reaction
  • Polymerisation reactions are divided into two types, namely addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation.
  • Addition polymerisation occurs when the monomer has a double covalent bond between the carbons, C = C reacting with each other.
 
Types of Polymerisation Reaction
Addtion Polymerisation
  • Addition polymerisation occurs when monomers that have double covalent bonds between two carbon atoms, C C react with one another.
  • Examples of polymers that are produced through addition polymerisations are shown in table below with their respective monomers.
Monomer Polymer Charateristic Use
Ethene Polyethene Durable and strong. Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging.
Propene Polypropene Durable. Toys and textile.
Chloroethene (vinyl chloride) Polychloroethene (Polyvinyl chloride, PVC) Strong and hard. Water pipes and electrical insulators.
Styrene Polystyrene Light and heat insulator. Heat insulators and food packaging.
  • During the reaction, double bonds are "opened" and monomers are "added" to the molecular chain to produce a polymer.
  • The following diagram shows the polymerisation of ethene to produce polyethene.
Addition Polymerisation of Ethene
The diagram shows the addition polymerisation of ethene.
Condensation Polymerisation
  • Condensation polymerisation involves at least two different types of monomers.
  • The monomers involved have two functional groups involved in the polymerization reaction.
  • The result of condensation polymerization is a polymer and another product such as water or HCl molecules.
  • The condensation polymerisation to produce terylene and nylon is as shown below:
Condensation Polymerisation to Produce Terylene
The diagram shows the condensation polymerisation to produce terylene.

 

Condensation Polymerisation to Produce Nylon
The diagram shows the condensation polymerisation to produce nylon.

 
 
The image is an infographic titled ‘Characteristics of Synthetic Polymers.’ It features a central blue circle with the title, connected by dashed red arrows to four surrounding blue circles. Each surrounding circle lists a characteristic: 1. Top left: ‘Good thermal insulation’ 2. Top right: ‘Inert and not reactive’ 3. Bottom right: ‘High heat resistance’ 4. Bottom left: ‘Light, strong and hard’ The Pandai logo is at the bottom of the central circle.
 
Uses of Synthetic Polymers
  • Various medical and laboratory devices are made from polypropene.
  • The most widespread use of polyethylene is as a plastic bag.
  • Nylon produces yarn that is important for the textile industry.
  • Acrylic polymer coatings are used to produce waterproof roofs.
 
Polymers and Environment
  • The nature of some polymers which are durable and take a very long time to decompose causes serious pollution problems.
  • Pollution in the oceans causes many living things to die and microplastics to enter the food chain.
  • Garbage disposal centers are filled with non-biodegradable plastic bags that will affect the environment.
  • Recycling is the easiest way for consumers to ensure synthetic polymers do not end up in landfills.
  • The introduction of degradable or decomposable polymers especially for plastic products allows pollution to be reduced.
  • Additives are included to allow plastic items to decompose naturally by bacteria (biodegradation) or decompose by light (photodegradation).
  • Plastic items will decompose faster and can reduce the problem of dumping plastic items at landfills as well as safer for wild animals.
 

 

 

 

The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of pandai.

Polymer

 
4.1 Polymer
 
Introduction to Polymer
  • There are various items around us that are made up of polymers such as protein, starch, polyethylene and nylon.
  • The basic unit of a polymer is called a monomer.
  • The reaction of monomer fusion to produce a polymer is called the polymerisation reaction.
  • Polymers can be classified into several groups based on the source of the polymer, the way the polymer is produced and the characteristics of the resulting polymer.
 
Definition of Polymer
A long chain molecule that is made from a combination of many repeating basic units.
 
Source of Polymer
  • Polymers consist of natural polymers or synthetic polymers.
  • Natural polymers are polymers that are produced naturally and can be obtained from the environment.
  • Examples of natural polymers include starch, protein and cotton.
  • Synthetic polymers are produced by humans through chemical reactions in laboratories or in factories.
  • Nylon, polyethylene, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are among the examples of synthetic polymers produced in the industrial sector.
  • Starch is a natural polymer made from glucose.
  • Meat is one of the sources of protein. Proteins are made from amino acids that are a type of monomer.
 
The image is a diagram titled ‘Sources of Polymer.’ It is divided into two sections. The first section, labeled ‘1,’ is titled ‘Natural polymers.’ The second section, labeled ‘2,’ is titled ‘Synthetic polymers.’ The background is white, and the text is in blue with red borders around the sections. The logo ‘Pandai’ is present in the top left corner.
 
Source of Polymer Polymer Monomer
Natural Starch Glucose
Natural Cellulose Glucose
Natural Protein Amino acid
Natural Natural rubber Isoprene
Synthetic Polystyrene Styrene
Synthetic Polypropene Propene
Synthetic Polyvinyl chloride Vinyl chloride
 
This is a flowchart diagram showing the types of polymers. It is divided into three main categories: 1. Thermoplastic polymers 2. Thermosetting polymers 3. Elastomer polymers The diagram is labeled ‘Types of Polymers’ on the left side. Each category is connected to its respective label with arrows.
 
Types of Polymer
Thermoplastic Polymers
  • The structure of thermoplastic polymers is as shown below:

The diagram shows the structure of thermoplastic polymers.

  • Characteristic of thermoplastic polymers:
    • Can be molded repeatedly after being heated and can be recycled.
    • When heated, the thermoplastic polymer melts and hardens when cooled.
  • Example:
    • Polyethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon..
Thermosetting Polymer
  • Th structure of thermosetting polymers is as shown below:

The diagram shows the structure of thermosetting polymers.

  • Characteristic of thermosetting polymers:
    • Cannot be remoulded after heating.
    • Normally disintegrate or burn upon heating and cannot be recycled.
  • Example:
    • Melamine, bakelite.
Elstomer Polymers
  • The structure of elastomer polymers is as shown below:

The diagram shows the structure of elastomer polymers.

  • Characteristic of elastomer polymers:
    • Can be stretched and can return to their original shape when released.
    • Possess high elasticity properties.
    • Example: Polyurethane, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR).
 
Polymerisation Reaction
  • Polymerisation reactions are divided into two types, namely addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation.
  • Addition polymerisation occurs when the monomer has a double covalent bond between the carbons, C = C reacting with each other.
 
Types of Polymerisation Reaction
Addtion Polymerisation
  • Addition polymerisation occurs when monomers that have double covalent bonds between two carbon atoms, C C react with one another.
  • Examples of polymers that are produced through addition polymerisations are shown in table below with their respective monomers.
Monomer Polymer Charateristic Use
Ethene Polyethene Durable and strong. Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging.
Propene Polypropene Durable. Toys and textile.
Chloroethene (vinyl chloride) Polychloroethene (Polyvinyl chloride, PVC) Strong and hard. Water pipes and electrical insulators.
Styrene Polystyrene Light and heat insulator. Heat insulators and food packaging.
  • During the reaction, double bonds are "opened" and monomers are "added" to the molecular chain to produce a polymer.
  • The following diagram shows the polymerisation of ethene to produce polyethene.
Addition Polymerisation of Ethene
The diagram shows the addition polymerisation of ethene.
Condensation Polymerisation
  • Condensation polymerisation involves at least two different types of monomers.
  • The monomers involved have two functional groups involved in the polymerization reaction.
  • The result of condensation polymerization is a polymer and another product such as water or HCl molecules.
  • The condensation polymerisation to produce terylene and nylon is as shown below:
Condensation Polymerisation to Produce Terylene
The diagram shows the condensation polymerisation to produce terylene.

 

Condensation Polymerisation to Produce Nylon
The diagram shows the condensation polymerisation to produce nylon.

 
 
The image is an infographic titled ‘Characteristics of Synthetic Polymers.’ It features a central blue circle with the title, connected by dashed red arrows to four surrounding blue circles. Each surrounding circle lists a characteristic: 1. Top left: ‘Good thermal insulation’ 2. Top right: ‘Inert and not reactive’ 3. Bottom right: ‘High heat resistance’ 4. Bottom left: ‘Light, strong and hard’ The Pandai logo is at the bottom of the central circle.
 
Uses of Synthetic Polymers
  • Various medical and laboratory devices are made from polypropene.
  • The most widespread use of polyethylene is as a plastic bag.
  • Nylon produces yarn that is important for the textile industry.
  • Acrylic polymer coatings are used to produce waterproof roofs.
 
Polymers and Environment
  • The nature of some polymers which are durable and take a very long time to decompose causes serious pollution problems.
  • Pollution in the oceans causes many living things to die and microplastics to enter the food chain.
  • Garbage disposal centers are filled with non-biodegradable plastic bags that will affect the environment.
  • Recycling is the easiest way for consumers to ensure synthetic polymers do not end up in landfills.
  • The introduction of degradable or decomposable polymers especially for plastic products allows pollution to be reduced.
  • Additives are included to allow plastic items to decompose naturally by bacteria (biodegradation) or decompose by light (photodegradation).
  • Plastic items will decompose faster and can reduce the problem of dumping plastic items at landfills as well as safer for wild animals.
 

 

 

 

The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of pandai.
Chapter : Polymer
Topic : Polymer
Form 5 Chemistry
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