Chapter 13 - Polymerisation In Alkenes Flashcards
What is the definition of a polymer?
Polymers are extremely large molecules formed from many thousands of repeating units of smaller molecules known as monomers.
What is produced by addition polymerisation
Long saturated chains containing no double bonds
Which molecules undergo addition polymerisation
Unsaturated alkene molecules
Do addition polymers have high or low molecular masses?
High
What are synthetic polymers usually named by - which is prefixed by the word ‘poly’?
The monomer which forms it
What are the conditions for industrial polymerisation?
High temperature and a high pressure using catalysts
What is the use for the most commonly sued polymers poly(ethene)
Supermarket bags, shampoo bottles and children’s toys
What is the use of poly(chloroethene)
Flooring, bottles, film and sheeting, insulation and cable sheathing, fabric treatments, and pipes
How does the lack of reactivity make it hard to dispose of polymers?
They make the polymers non bio degradable
When a polymer is sorted during recycling what are the next steps in its disposal?
They are chopped, washed, dries and melted. They are cut into pellets and used by manufacturers to make new products
Why is pvc hazardous to dispose of?
The high chlorine content. When burnt PVC releases hydrogen chloride and other pollutants.
How can technology help prevent the hazardous disposal of PVC
Solvents dissolve the polymer
How can heat produced by polymers be useful?
It can be used to generate electricity
What is feedstock recycling?
It describes the chemical and thermal processed that can reclaim monomers, gases or oil from waste polymers
What is a major advantage of feedstock recycling?
It can handle unsorted and unwashed polymers
What are bioplastics made from?
Plant starch, cellulose, plant oils and proteins
How are bioplastics useful?
They are renewable and sustainable. They conserve valuable oil reserves
What breaks down biodegradable polymers?
Microorganisms
What are photodegradable polymers
They are polymers that contain bonds that are weakened by absorbing light which allow them to being degrading
