Objectives: Understand the significance of various types of polymers and how they are made

Goal of this lecture:

1) To study the significance of polymers in daily life

2) To classify polymers into various types

3) To study polymerization reactions and mechanism of addition polymerization

 Why polymers important?

How does he make so much money?

Polymers
Repol (PP),
Relene (PE)
M. Ambani Reon (PVC),
Recron (Polyester)
Relpet (PET)
Polybutadiene rubber,
Styrene butadiene rubber
 Why polymers important?
AG Industries, Bawal Very strong
Heat resistant
PC
AG Industries, Bawal
Impact resistant
Toughness
ABS
ABS

ABS
ABS
 Why polymers important?
Why Polymers: Because they possess special properties they can replace the traditional
materials.

Special properties include high strength, light weight, rigid, easy to process and
corrosion resistant.
 Why polymers important?
Significance to us in daily life (in various domains)
Plastics:
(1) PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)- Inexpensive, light-weight, shatter-resistant.
Uses: Bottles,
(2) PE and PP (Hard)
Rigid applications: Tables, chairs etc. Flexible: Bags
(3) PVC (Rigid, Strong)
Pipes and fittings
(4) PS (Forms)
Food packaging, Cushioning materials, disposable cups.
(5) ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
Computers
(6) PC
Water cans, CDs
(7) PVDC [polyvinylidene chloride]
(from Dichloroethene)
Food packaging
(8) PU Uses : Foot ware, Automotive seats, bedding form.
PTFE (Cookware)
PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate) Uses: Car tail lights, Lenses
Polyetherether ketone (PEEK): Uses: Bearings, pumps, pistons, biomedical implants, cable
insulation
 What are polymers (Chemically)
What are Polymers? (Material containing chemical compound/s that are bonded and
repeated several times
Mer = part
 Can we categorize polymers?
(1) Based on their who makes it | Natural polymers and Synthetic Polymers

Natural polymers

Silk Cotton Cellulose

Synthetic polymers

Ethylene
Polyethylene
 Can we categorize polymers?
(2) Based on what happens to them after heating | Thermoplastics and Thermosettings

Thermoplastics: On heating become soft and can be moulded into any shape

Polycarbonate

Thermosettings: On heating become rigid, hard, chemical changes and degradation happens
 Can we categorize polymers?
(3) Based on the reaction by which they are made | Addition and Condensation polymerization

Addition polymerization: Monomers combine with each other without biproducts

Ethylene
Polyethylene

Condensation polymerization: Monomers combine with small molecule biproducts

+ n H 2O
 Can we categorize polymers?
(4) Based on if the polymer is pure or mix| Homo and co-polymer polymerization

Homopolymers: Formed from same type of monomers or repeat units

Ethylene
Polyethylene

Copolymer: Formed from different type of monomers or repeat units

Styrene-butadiene
 Can we categorize polymers?
(5) Based on which atoms the main chain is made | Organic and Inorganic

Organic polymers: Main chain contains C atoms

Ethylene
Polyethylene

Inorganic: Formed from different type of monomers or repeat units

Silicone polymer
 Can we categorize polymers?
(6) Based on the structure | Linear, Branched and Network

Linear polymers: Straight chains are found in the polymer

Ethylene
High Density Polyethylene
Branched : Branched in structure

Network: Well-defined network of polymers

 Can we categorize polymers?
(7) Based on the Stereochemistry | Atactic, Syndiotactic and Isotactic

Atactic: Random arrangement of substituents

Syndiotactic: Substituents are on the arranged in alternate fashion

Isotactic: Substituents are on the same side

 Can we categorize polymers?
(8) Based on the property | Elastomers, Fibers, Resins and Plastics

Elastomers: Elongates on application of force, regains shape on release of shape

Fibers: Long thin thread like structure

Resins: Low M.W. polymers used as adhesives

 How to make polymers?
Through a reaction called “polymerization reactions”

Ethylene
Polyethylene
 Are there different types of polymerizations?
Two types of polymerization reactions are available.

1. Addition (Chain) polymerization: Molecules linked by chain reaction

Ethylene
Polyethylene

2. Condensation (Step) polymerization: Molecules condense with continuous elimination of

bi-products
“Condensation: reaction of two molecules to form larger molecules but produces a small
molecule as bi-product”
 How addition polymerization take place?
Process or Mechanism of addition polymerization

1. Through a free radical (Free radical polymerization)

Initiation

Propagation
 How addition polymerization take place?
Termination
H2 H2
H2 H2 C
C C CH2 C R
+ H2C C
R C C C
H2 H2
H2 H2 n
n
Dead polymer H2 H2
C C CH3
H2 H2 H2 H2 + R
H2 R C C
C C C C C H2 H2
R C C C R n
C C
H2 H2 H2 H2
n H2
n
H2 H2 H2
C C C
H R C C R
H2 H2
H2 n
H2 H2 CH C
C C CH2 + H2C R
C C Dead polymer
R C C H2
H2 H2 H2
n
n

Dead polymers H H2
H2 H2 C
C C CH3 C R
H2C C C
R C C H2
H2 H2 H2
n
n
 How addition polymerization take place?
Process or Mechanism of addition polymerization

1. Through a cations
Initiation

Propagation

Termination

-H+
 How addition polymerization take place?
Process or Mechanism of addition polymerization

1. Through a anions
Initiation

Propagation

Termination
 How addition polymerization take place?
Process or Mechanism of addition polymerization

1. Through a co-ordination/organometallic complex (Ziegler-Natta Catalyst)

How addition polymerization take place?
 Applications-Polymers
Apply the concepts you learnt in polymers to guess the answers for the below questions

Why the polymers are strong?

What makes polymers rigid and hard?

What makes polymers light in weight than metals (iron)?

Why is it easy to process (melt) plastics than metals (iron)?

Why some polymers are show elastic properties?

Note: This is only for the intended students who are authorised the access it. It is only
Intended for the course studies.
Takes three lectures to finish this 14 lecture
(without numerical)
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda