CHEM.

PROJECT-

WHAT ARE POLYMERS?

Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules. The

materials have unique properties, depending on the type of molecules being
bonded and how they are bonded. Some polymers bend and stretch, like rubber
and polyester. Others are hard and tough, like epoxies and glass.

Polymers touch almost every aspect of modern life. Chances are most people
have been in contact with at least one polymer-containing product — from water
bottles to gadgets to tires — in the last five minutes.

The term polymer is often used to describe plastics, which are synthetic
polymers. However, natural polymers also exist; rubber and wood, for example,
are natural polymers that consist of a simple hydrocarbon, isoprene, according
to Encyclopedia Britannica. Proteins are natural polymers made up of amino acids,
and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are polymers of nucleotides — complex
molecules composed of nitrogen-containing bases, sugars and phosphoric acid,
for example.
The word polymer is derived from two Greek words; poly means
“many” and mer meaning “unit”. Polymers are large molecules made up
of alike repeating blocks known as monomers. Whereas monomers are
simple molecules which undergo polymerization (a phenomenon in
which two or more molecules chemically react to combine and form
polymers) in order to form a long chain of repeating units, polymers.
Monomers bind in two different ways, direct and indirect. In the case of
direct connection, they link together forming long chains and in the
second kind, the linking results in liberation of a water molecule.
Polymers can be natural or synthetic. Synthetic polymers are well-used
in the medical department. A number of materials used in medicine
contain polymers. They have many properties and this makes them
very useful in the application for biomaterials.

Polymers are classified based on different properties and they include

source, structure, mode of polymerization, molecular forces and
growth polymerization.

 1) Classification based on the source of polymer

Here, it is again subdivided into
a) Natural polymers
b) Semi-synthetic
c) Synthetic

a)Natural Polymers

Polymers found in living organisms (only plant and animals)

Example: rubber, cellulose, etc.

b) Semi-synthetic Polymers

Derivatives of cellulose are semi-synthetic polymers.

Example: rayon

c) Synthetic polymers

Polymers used in daily life such as plastics, etc.

2) Classification based on the structure of a polymer

This is further divided into:

a)Linear polymers
b)Branched-chain polymers
c) Cross-linked or network polymers

a) Linear polymers
Polymers made up of a straight and long chain of monomeric units.
Example: Teflon, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, etc.

b) Branched-chain polymers
Linear polymers branch out in-between to form branched chain
polymers.
Example: glycogen, starch, low-density polyethylene, etc.
c) Cross-linked or network polymers
These polymers are formed by strong covalent bonds between
different linear polymer chains.
Example: polyester fiberglass, polyurethanes, adhesives, vulcanized
rubber, etc.

3) Classification based on the mode of polymerization

This is further divided into:

a) Addition polymers
b) Condensation polymers

a) Addition polymers
These polymers are formed as a result of repeated attachment of
unsaturated monomers irrespective of the bond they possess (double
or triple).
Example:

b) Condensation polymers
These polymers are formed due to the condensation reactions between
two different monomers, resulting in the removal of small molecules
such as water, etc.

4) Classification based on molecular forces

Polymers have different applications based on their mechanical

properties such as elasticity, tensile strength, etc.

These mechanical properties are monitored by forces such as hydrogen

bonds, ionic forces, etc.

Based on how strong the intermolecular forces, they can be further

divided into:
 1. Elastomers- These are elastic property possessing solids. In these
polymers, molecular forces between each monomer are very low which
allows such polymers to be stretched.
Example: polyisoprene, polybutadiene, etc.

2. Fibers- These are solids made up of a thread like structures. They

have high tensile strength.
Example: Terylene

3. Thermoplastic polymers- Linear or branched-chain polymers that

soften on heating and harden on cooling.
Example: Acrylic, nylon, etc.

4. Thermosetting polymers- Heavily branched polymers which

when heated results in change and are irreversibly hardened and
cannot be reused.

Example: erasers, balloons, etc.

5) Classification based on growth polymerization

Addition and condensation polymers are also referred to as chain

growth polymers.