Page | 1

Certificate
Name - Uday Singh Rathore

Roll No.–

Board Roll No. –

Class- XII – B

School- Lucknow Public School, Sector -I

This is to certify that the student has worked under my

guidance and successfully completed this Investigatory
Project in Chemistry as prescribed by CBSE for session
2019-2020.

Date:

__________________
Mr. Arvind Tripathi
(Chemistry Teacher)
Lucknow Public School,Sector- I

_____________

Mrs.Rashmi Pathak

(Principal LPS Sec-I)

Page | 2
 Acknowledgement
I Uday Singh Rathore would like to express my
greatest gratitude to the people who have helped &
supported me throughout my project. I am grateful to
my teacher Mr. Arvind Tripathi, for his continuous
support for the project, from initial advice and
contacts in the early stages of conceptual inception &
through ongoing advice & encouragement to this day.

I wish to thank my parents for their undivided

support and interest who inspired me and
encouraged me to go my own way , without whom I
would be unable to complete my project . A special
thank of mine goes to my best friend who helped
me in completing the project & he exchanged his
interesting ideas , thoughts & made this project
easy and accurate….......

Page | 3
 Index
Sr. no. Topic Page
No.

1 Front page 1

2 Certificate 2

3 Acknowledgement 3

4 Index 4-5

5 Introduction 6-9

6 Polymerisation 10-11

Page | 4
7 Role Of Polymers 12-18

8 Some Common Polymers and it’s 19-31

uses

9 Bibliography 32

Page | 5
Introduction
The word Polymer is coined from two
greek words:

Poly means many and mer means unit or

part.

Polymers are substances whose molecules

have high molar masses(103-107u) . These
are also called macromolecules, which are
formed by joining of repeating structural
units on a large scale. The repeating
structural units are derived from some
simple and reactive molecules known as
monomers.

Page | 6
The polymer industry has grown and
diversified into one of the fastest
growing industries in the world. Today,
polymer are commonly used in thousands
of products as plastics, elastomers,
coating, and adhesives. No wonder
polymer are found in every thing from
compact discs to high-tech aerospace
application.

It is difficult to find aspect of our lives

that is not affected by polymer. As
polymer production has grown, so has the
number of people who work in this field.
Today, it is estimated that 50 per cent
of the chemical engineers and chemists in

Page | 7
the united state work in the polymer
industry.

This process of formation of polymers

from their respective monomers is known
as polymerisation.

There are three types of polymers

depending on the source of origin –

1) Natural Polymers :
These are the
polymers naturally occuring and found
in plants and animals.
E.g. Proteins,Cellulose, Starch etc.
2) Semi-Synthetic Polymers :
They are derived
from naturally occurring polymers and
undergo further chemical modification.
Page | 8
 E.g. Cellulose acetate(rayon), Cellulose
nitrate etc.
3) Synthetic Polymers :

These are the

polymers which are manufactured by
humans.

E.g. Plastic(Polythene), Synthetic

rubbers(Buna-S ) etc.

Page | 9
POLYMERISATION
There are two types of poymerisation
processes by which polymers can be
formed :-

a) Addition Polymerisation :
In this type of
polymerisation , the molecules of the
same monomer or different monomers
add together on a large scale to form a
polymer. The monomers used are
unsaturated compounds. This mode of
polymerisation leading to an increase in
chain length or chain growth can take
place through the formation of either
free radicals or ionic species.

Page | 10
b) Condensation Polymerisation :

This type of polumerisation

generally involves a repetitive
condensation reaction between two bi-
functional monomes. These
polycondensation reactions may result in
the loss of some simple molecules such as
water , alcohol etc. and lead to formation
of high molecular mass condensation
polymers.

Page | 11
ROLE OF POLYMERS:-

Molecular science has developed

enormously in recent eras. Molecular
science has a major role in our lives. It
has become a necessity in our daily
routines without which life wasn’t that
easy. We are going to discuss some of
the main polymers used in our lives.
Polymer are nowdays used in every sector
whether it is agricultural sector or it is
industrial sector or in or daily life. It
plays a very important role in daily life.
Most of the items we use in our daily life
are made out of polymers. Polymers are
used in manufacture of plastic buckets ,

Page | 12
cups , saucers , children’s toys and many
more.

Indeed, the Polymers are the backbones

of four major industries viz. plastics ,
fibres , paints and varnishes.

The common polymers uded in daily life

are and it’s uses are :-
1. Polythene :
Polythene is most common
polymer that we see in our daily routine
and use it.
Polythene is a polymer made of monomer
ethene.

There are two types of Polythene :-

Page | 13
i) Low Density Polythene :
It is obtained by
polymerisation of ethene under high
pressure of 1000 to 2000 atm at a
temperature of 350K to 570K in the
presence of traces of dioxygen or a
peroxide initiator.
Low Density Polythene is chemically inert
and tough but flexible and a poor
conductor of electricity.
 Uses : It is used in the insulation of
electricity carrying wires and in
manufacture of squeeze bottles , toys
and flexible pipes.

ii) High Density Polythene :

It is formed
when addition polymerisation of ethene
Page | 14
takes place in a hydrocarbon solvent in
the presence of a catalyst such as
triethylaluminium and Ziegler – Natta
catalyst at a temperature of 333K to
343K and under a pressure of 6-7 atm. It
is also chemically inert and more tough
and hard.

 Uses : It is used for manufacturing

buckets , dustbins etc.

2) Polytetrafluroethene (Teflon) :
Teflon is
manufactured by heating
tetrafluoroethene with a free radical or
persulphate catalyst at high pressures. It
is chemically inert and resistant to attack
by corrosive reagents.

Page | 15
  Uses : It is used in making oil seals and
gaskets and also used for non-stick
surface coated utensils.
3) Polyacrylonitrile :
The addition
polymerisation of acrylonitrile in
presence of a peroxide catalyst leads to
the formation of polyacrylonitrile.

 Uses : It is used as a substitute for

wool in making commercial fibres as
orlon or acrilan.

4) Nylon 6,6 :
It is prepared by the
condensation polymerisation of
hexamethylenediamine with adipic acid
under high pressure.
Page | 16
  Uses : It is used in making sheets ,
bristles for brushes and in textile
industry.
5) Nylon 6 :
It is obtained by heating
caprolactum with water at a high
temperature.

 Uses : It is used for the manufacture

of tyre cords, fabrics and ropes.

6) Melamine :
Melamine formaldehyde
polymer is formed by the condensation
polymerisation of melamine and
formaldehyde.
 Uses : It is used in the manufacture
of unbreakable crockery.
Page | 17
7) Bakelite :
Bakelite is formed on heating
novolac with formaldehyde which
undergoes cross linking to form an
infusible solid mass.

 Uses : It is used for making combs,

phonograph records, electrical
switches and handles of various
utensils.

Page | 18
Some common Polymers seen in day to
day life and it’s role in our life are-

1)Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) :

 PVC is used to make Credit Cards
 PVC sheets are thin , so to make a
credit card, two or three layers are
glued together.

2) Polyamide :
 Parachutes are made of nylon , a type
of polyamides.
 Polyamide is especially useful,
because it’s not only strong and durable,
but it’s also moisture resistant.

3)Polycarbonate :
 Glasses are made of Polycarbonate.
Page | 19
 Polycarbonate is being used to make
high quality eyeglass lenses for years.
 These glasses offeradvantages over
glass because they are lighter and
thinner and they offer UV protection.

4)Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) :
 It is used in making teflon and other
non-stick cookware and cooking
utensils.
 It is a waxy, thermally stable
material that’s known for being
tough, corrosion resistant and
nonflammable.
 It can resist temperatures of upto
5000c .

Page | 20
 PTFE generates no smoke when
exposed to high temperature , a
great asset in the kitchen.

5)Polyalkene :
 Polyalkene is widely used in
construction industry.
 It is used often in the car industry.
 Plastic is much more malleable than
metal , designers can use plastics
to comr up with more aerodynamic
better – looking cars.

6)Polyurethane :
 It is a quick – drying highly elastic
polymer used to make apparel that
stretches.

Page | 21
  Disposable diapers are made using
this type of polymer.

7)Polyethylene :
 It is probably the best known
polymer in existence.
 From peanut butter jars to soft
drink bottles to milk containers , it
an be found in pretty much any
container in your refrigerator.

8)Role of Polymer in Space :

 It is used of construction material
in aerospace and aircraft due to
their light weight, high strength
and relatively better mechanical,
thermal, electrical and thermo-
optical properties than other
materials.
Page | 22
 The polymer are also used to
construct vehicle(space craft)
components such as body panel
,vision window, adhesive, instrument
parts etc. Polymer used for these
purposes are- PVC, SILICON,
EPOXY FIBERGLASS, NYLON etc.
 Due to light weight and high
strength, in comparison to other
materials like metal.
 The NASA is also developing Silicon
Nanocomposite coating for airbags
to be used on the Mars Exploration
Rovers. Because Silicon polymer
reduce the weight of the airbag.

8) Application of polymer in
oceans and seas :

Page | 23
 Polymers are used as a metal
alternative in sea application
because of their excellent
properties such as, light weight, no
corrosion, high strength etc.
 These are used in making boat
hulls, pass anger and naval vessels,
gas masks, life boats.
 Some important polymers and their
application include:
 PVC is used for making sea
water pipes, also fresh water.
 PMMA used as optical fiber for
making optical glasses which is
used under sea.
 Neoprene is used in making life
saving jacket which are used in
marine life.

Page | 24
  Glass/epoxy composite are
used for cargo line.
 Nylon and fiber reinforced
polymers are used in propeller
for ships
9) APPLICATION OF POLYMER
IN AGRICULTURE :
 Polymer are widely used in the
field of agriculture to improve the
physical properties of soil and
increase productivity.
 These polymers are known
as soil conditioner and used
for the following purposes in
agriculture:
 Preventing soil erosion.
 Reducing irrigation
frequency.

Page | 25
  Increasing water used
efficiency.
 Increasing plant
performance especially in
drought.

10) APPLICATION OF POLYMER IN

ELECTRONICS :
 In general polymer have poor
electrical conductivity, but new
polymer material has been
synthesized which process
electrical conductivities. Such
polymers are called conducting
polymer. This process transforming
a polymer to its conductive form via
chemical oxidation and reduction
called doping.
Page | 26
 Application of different polymer
including conducting polymer are
discussed below:
 Organic solar sail produce
electricity from sunlight using
polymer.
 Conducting polymer are used in
making organic light emitting
diodes Which are used in
television screen, mobile phone
digital camera and watches.
 Conducting polymer are used
for Rechargeable batteries it is
alternative to lead- acid
batteries.

Page | 27
 11) APPLICATION OF POLYMER IN
MEDICAL :
 Dental Application: In 19th
century, gutth-percha was used
for filling.
 In 1909, PMMA was used as
artificial teeth filling.
 In 1930s, polyamide, polyester,
polyethylene were prepared in
different forms (rigid, soft,
fibers, adhesives, etc) for several
applications (filling, implant,
sutures, etc).
12) APPLICATION OF POLYMER IN
AUTOMOBILE :
 Use of polymer in automobile
has increased significantly over
the last 100 years. Used are -

Page | 28
 Instrument Panels - Engine -
Windows - Tires - Body Panels
13) APPLICATION OF POLYMER CIVIL
ENGINEERING :
 The construction industry uses
variety of classic building material
like metals, glass, wood, and stone
but plastic material are become
increasingly important due to there
out standing performance.
 Construction applications of plastic
include:
 Pipes and guttering
 Windows and doors Roofing
 Sealants and adhesive
 Flooring and building panel

In civil engineering :
Page | 29
 Road and sports surface Building
reinforced Bridge building.
 Some application of polymer in
building construction:
 PVC with stabilizers and
additives has been developed
for roller shutters, gutters and
fences.
 Polystyrene are used
extensively, primarily in
insulation applications:
Composite materials are being
used for load bearing in
construction applications.
 Recycled plastic are also
being used in a cement
matrices.
 Polymeric fibers can also
used to reinforce cement.
Page | 30
 Polymer mortars and
concerted are used in
applications such as protective
coating.

Page | 31
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.quora.com
www.google.com
www.wikipedia.com
www.slideshare.net
www.scienceclarified.com

Page | 32