Addition polymers Flashcards
How are addition polymers formed?
Alkenes and substituted alkenes
What are some examples of pre-20th century polymers?
Cotton, rubber, silk
What are some examples of 20th century polymers?
Synthetic polymers such as Nylon in textiles, Kevlar in bulletproof vests
What forces do polymers contain?
Van der waals
Why are addition polymers unreactive?
Because the carbon chain is saturated and the side chains are usually non-polar
How can polymers be modified?
Using plasticisers.
What are plasticisers?
Molecules that stick between the chains and keep the polymers further apart
What happens when plasticisers are used to modify polymers?
Straight chain molecules are made more flexible since the plasticisers stick between the chains and keep the polymers further apart which weakens the vdw forces and lets the chains slide more easily.
What are PVCs and what happens when you add plasticisers to them.
poly(chloroethene) used for rigid plastics like drainpipes because it has strong dipole-dipole forces due to the presence of chlorine atoms. Adding plasticiser makes them more flexible to be used in flooring tiles.
