ch 8- polymers Flashcards
addition polymerisation
chemical reaction between monomers resulting in the formation of a polymer
alkene
hydrocarbon with at least one double carbon to carbon bond
alkyne
hydrocarbon with at least one triple carbon to carbon bond
condensation polymerisation
chemical reaction between monomers resulting in the formation of a polymer and water
cross link
covalent bond between polymer chains
thermosetting-cross linked polymers
polymer with covalent bonds/cross links that degrade or char when heated
elastomers
polymer that forms occasional cross links and is elastic
functional group
specific groups of atoms within a compound that affect the properties of the compound
high density polyethene HDPE
tightly packed polymers produced at lower pressures
linear- thermoplastic polymers
polymer with no cross links that can be remoulded when haeted
low density polyethene LDPE
branched polymer produced at high pressures
monomers
molecules that can react with other molecules to form larger molecules
plastic
molecule produced synthetically from monomers bonded together
polymer
molecule produced naturally or synthetically from monomers bonded together
general formula for addition polymerisation
[C=C + C=C]n
->
-[-C-C-C-C-]-n
general formula for condensation polymerisaiton
let R= any group where a carbon or hydrogen is attached to the rest
R-A-H + R-B-OH
->
R-A-B-R + H2O
how does addition polymerisation work
the C to C double or triple bond is broken, allowing carbon atoms to form bonds with adjascent monomers
how does condensation polymerisation work
two functional groupds react to form a bond between monomers- forming a polymer and water
general formula for the formation of polyesters
(n+1) R(OH)2 + n R’(COOH)2 → HO[ROOCR’COO]nROH + 2n H2O
polymer properties
light and strong
durable
highly versatile and modifiable
flammable
chemically resistant- particularly against acids
effective thermal and electrical insulators
polar vs non polar polymers
non polar monomer are only held together by dispersion forces but when a polymer
non polar polymer- tetrafluoroethene
polytetrafluroethene has strong dispersion forces between chains and other substances making it non stick
polar polymer- polyacrylonitrile
make materials like carbon fibre which is found in tennis raquets and fishing rods.
the carbon nitrogen bond in acrylonitrile- the monomer, creates permanent dipole-dipole interaction between chains, giving them a high tensile strength and stiffness
what determines the properties of a polymer
the monomer itself
the size and branching - the greater the chain length, the stronger the inermolecular forces due to greater surface material ( the strong intermolecular forces make the material tough)
polarity- physical properties of polymers as it creates certain attractions
how is low density polyethene produced
when polymerisation occurs at high temperatures and high pressures, polymers are unable to form linear chains
LDPE has many branches that extend from the parent chain
how do the branches prevent LDPE from becoming dense
the branches prevent them from packing close together, leading to weakened dispersion forces
LDPE properties
- Lower density (relative to DPE)
- Relatively soft
- Lower melting point (105115 C) (relative to DPE)
- Good chemical resistance
- generally opaque
how is high density polyethene produced
HDPE is produced under lower temperature and pressure conditions
little brancing and the polymer chains can pack together tightlyp
HDPE properties
higher density (relative to LDPE)
* hard
* higher melting point (120180 C) (relative to LDPE)
* Weatherproof and cold-resistant
* Good chemical resistance
* Allows light to pass through
* Insulator of electricity
polypropene- type of polymerisation
addition
polypropene- properties and applications
durable and cheap making it good for artificial turf and rope
polyvinylidene chloride- type of polymerisation
addition
polyvinylidene chloride- properties and applications
sticks to itself, making it good for food wrap
polyamide/nylon- type of polymerisation
condensation
polystyrene- type of polymerisation
addition
polystyrene- properties and applications
can be solid or foamed and can be used in cups, insulation foam or bean bags filling
linear polymers properties
when heated, they soften enabling them to be reshaped or remoulded
commonly sold as pellets that are heated then moulded to make a variety of plastics
intramolecular bonds of linear polymers are much stronger than the intermolecular forces holding the chains together
sufficient exposure to heat, individual chains become mobile and the plastic can be reshaped
how does the presence of cross links impact a molecule
it greatly restricts the movement of a molecule, making it more rigid and heat resistant
do thermoplastics have cross links
no
forces between chains in thermoplastics
weak intermolecular
thermoplastics- response to heat
softens/melts
thermoplastics- hardness
varies