13.5 - Polymerisation In Alkenes Flashcards
Why do alkenes undergo addition Polymerisation
To produce long saturated chains
What is the general equation for addition Polymerisation
W X. W X
\ /. |. |
n. C=C. ———> —C-C—
/ . |. |
Y Z. Y Z. n
What is wrong with disposing waste polymers?
- Polymers are readily available, cheap and convenient
- They are very unreactive and so are non-biodegradable so has serious environmental effects
How does Recycling polymers work?
- Reduces their environment impact by conserving fossil fuels and decreasing the amount of waste
- Because Polymers need to be sorted by type, recycling cannot happen if polymers have been mixed
- When recycled, they are chopped into flakes and used by manufacturers for new products
What is PVC recycling?
- Hazardous due to high chlorine content
- Not sustainable and burning it releases a corrosive gas and pollutants
- Recycling PVC used to be grinding and reusing, but now new solvents can dissolve it. It is recovered by precipitation from the solvent and the solvent is reused
How can we use waste polymers as fuel?
- Incinerated to produce heat/generating steam
- It is hard to use them because they are from natural gases + have a high stored energy value
What is Feedstock Recycling?
- Reclaiming monomers from waste polymers through chemical and thermal processes
- Used as raw materials for new polymers
- can handle unescorted/unwashed polymers
What are bio plastics?
- Produced from plant starch, cellulose, oils and proteins are sustainable
- conserves oil reserves
Explain biodegradable polymers
- Broken down by microorganisms into H2O, CO2 and biological compounds
- Compostable polymers degrade and leave no visible residue
Explain photodegradable polymers
- Contain bonds that are weakened by absorbing light to start degradation
