Exam 2 Polymers Flashcards
What are the two ways to make a polymer?
- condensation polymerization
2. addition polymerization
What is condensation polymerization?
- also called step polymerization
- consists of two or more (bifunctional) monomers carrying different reactive functional groups that interact with each other
- 1 part + 1 part = 2 parts → which can interact with another part or 2 parts or even 4 parts
- examples: nylon, polyamide, polyurethane, polyester
What is addition polymerization?
- also called free radical polymerization or chain polymerization
- consists of 3 main steps → 1) initiation (initiated by a radical) 2) propagation
3) termination (terminated by an inert molecule) → radical breaks the double bond and propagates until it gets terminated - examples: polyacrylate, polystyrene
What is the main difference between condensation polymerization and addition polymerization?
condensation polymerization → needs 2 or more monomers to form the polymer, creates polymer that are short little chains (like lil poop droppings)
addition polymerization → need a radical that initiates and propagates until something terminates the polymer, creates polymer that is long and more snake like
What are the 2 things that characterize polymers?
molecular weight and molecular weight distribution
What are the 2 things that characterize polymers?
molecular weight and molecular weight distribution
What does molecular weight consist of?
- number average (Mn)
2. weight average (Mw)
What are the two types of molecular weight distributions?
- monodispersed → Mn = Mw so polydispersity (Mw/Mn) is 1
2. polydispersed → Mw»_space; Mn so polydispersity»_space; 1 (has a greater range/distribution than monodispersed)
What is polydispersity and what is its equation?
polydispersity is a range/distribution of the weight of the polymer and is given by the equation Mw/Mn
What is the difference between monodispersed and polydispersed?
monodispersed is very homogenous in which all polymers have about the same weight
polydispersed is not homogenous in which the polymers have a range of weights
When given two batches of polymers with their Mn, Mw, and polydispersity, how do you know which batch is more homogenous?
the batch with the smaller polydispersity will be the more homogenous batch (have closer Mn and Mw values)
What happens when you have identical polymers?
the number average (Mn) and weight average (Mw) should be the same
What happens when you don’t have identical polymers and they have a range of weights?
the weight average (Mw) should be higher than the number average (Mn)
What is another characteristic that defines polymers?
crystalline versus amorphous
What are properties of crystalline polymers?
- linear polymer
- polymer can pack together in regular arrays at T < Tm
- manifests a sharp Tm → has a distinct melting temperature
- good barrier to drug diffusion → durable
- rigid at low temps and liquid at high temps
- first order
What are properties of amorphous polymers?
- is more common
- polymers with irregular structure
- polymer forms “glass” at T < Tg
- softens over a wide temperature range (Tg) → does not have a distinct melting temperature
- at low temp is rigid but and higher temps is rubbery → not defined as a single melting temp as it turns rubbery over time (more soft and pliable)
- second order
What is an analogy that describes crystalline and amorphous polymers?
spaghetti noodles are long and hard before cooking → crystalline
spaghetti noodles are all tangled after cooking → amorphous
What is glass transition temperature (Tg)?
the temperature range where a polymer changes from a hard, rigid or “glassy” state to a more pliable, compliant or “rubbery” state
What happens when T «_space;Tg?
polymers are hard, stiff, and glassy
What happens when T»_space; Tg?
polymers are rubbery and may flow