Copolymer:

Composed of two or more different

monomer subunits linked to create a
polymer chain.
Course Coordinator: Asma Ahmed Al-Yamani
Keep in mind
Copolymer is a type
of polymer
Course Coordinator: Asma Ahmed Al-Yamani
 There are three common types of Copolymers:

1st : Block Copolymer (a junction block):

Formed when two larger chains are linked
together (covalent bonds).
Examples:
➢Acrylonitrile butadiene
➢SBS rubber

Course Coordinator: Asma Ahmed Al-Yamani

 An illustration describing the structure of a block
copolymer which is made up of the monomers ‘A’ and
‘B’ is provided below.

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 One chain consists of a set of monomer subunits
and the other chain consists of a different set of
monomer subunits.

Monomer subunit Monomer subunit

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 +
homopolymerc homopolymer

Block Polymer
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 Block Polymer is
linking of two different
homopolymer

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 Homopolymers

homo- same or identical

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 Homopolymer:

Is a polymer that is made up of

only one type of monomer unit.

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 homopolymer

Composed of monomer subunits

that are identical or the same
Course Coordinator: Asma Ahmed Al-Yamani
 The difference in the constitution of a copolymer
and a homopolymer is illustrated below.

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 There are three common types of Copolymers:

2nd : Random Copolymer (Statistical):

Formed when monomer subunits are linked
together in a random order.
Example:
➢Rubber (made from the copolymer of styrene
and butadiene)

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 An illustration describing the structure of a
statistical (Random) copolymer is provided
below.

Course Coordinator: Asma Ahmed Al-Yamani

 There are three common types of Copolymers:

3rd : Alternate Copolymer:

Composed of monomers that link in an alternating
way to form a polymer chain.
Example:
Nylon 6,6 (consisting of alternating units of
hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid)

Course Coordinator: Asma Ahmed Al-Yamani

 The formula of an alternating copolymer made up
of monomers A and B can be generalized to (-A-
B-)n.

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 Graft Copolymer:
Branched copolymers featuring differently
structured main chains and side chains.
Example:
An important example (Polystyrene)

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 An illustration detailing the structure of a graft
copolymer made up of monomers A and B is
provided below.

Course Coordinator: Asma Ahmed Al-Yamani

Course Coordinator: Asma Ahmed Al-Yamani