Mod 7.6 - Polymers Flashcards
What are polymers?
Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating units. These repeating unitss are linked by covalent bonds.
How are polymers formed?
They are formed via a reaction called polymerisation, which utilises small and simple molecules called monomers to react with each other to form polymer chains (these monomers form covalent bonds with other monomers to form polymers)
What are the different types of polymers based on how they are produced?
Natural vs synthetic polymers
What are natural polymers? Examples
These are synthesised in living organisms (or occur in nature
E.g. silk, cellulose, starch (edible part in potatoes, wheat and rice)
What are synthetic polymers?
These are human made materials obtained from the chemical reaction of monomers. They can be designed for specific uses.
E.g. polyethylene
How are polymers visualised?
By showing a repeating unit in square brackets with a subscript ‘n’ on the bottom right
the ‘n’ indicates that there is a large number of repeating units in the polymer chain
What is a homopolymer? How are they named?
These are polymers made of a single type of monomer.
How are homopolymers named?
These are named based on the monomers (reactants). The prefix ‘poly’ is followed by the name of the monomer
For example, the polymer derived from the monomer ethylene is called polyethylene
If the name of the monomer contains two words or starts with a number, we use brackets around the name of the monomer and the prefix ‘poly’
For example, a polymer made of vinyl chloride is named poly (vinyl chloride)
What are copolymers?
These are polymers made of two or more different types of monomersH
How are copolymers named?
The prefix ‘poly’ and brackets around the name are also used like the homopolymers
Unlike homopolymers, the monomer derived names in copolymers can be either the actual name of the reactant monomer or the name of the new unit derived form the monomer
For example, the copolymer derived from the monomer ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid is called:
Poly (ethylene terephthalate)
What are the ways of classifying a polymer based on structures?
Unbranched (linear)
Branched
Cross linked
Bulky side groups (attachment of an atom which is heavier than hydrogen such as Cl to a polymer chain)
What are linear polymers?
These contain repeating units attached only at the two ends of the chain.
It is a single flexible chain with continuous covalent bonds which join monomers together end to end
What are branched polymers?
These contain a large number of side chains (branches) connected to the main polymer chainW
What are cross linked polymers?
Cross links are atoms or functional groups that join polymer chians via covalent or ionic bonds
What is polymerisation?
It is any chemical reaction that causes monomers to join together to form a polymer. These can be classified into two reactions such as the addition and condensation reactions
What is addition polymerisation?
It is a polymer forming process in which monomers react without the formation of by products. This can occur through a variety of mechanisms, but the monomers all polymerise without the formation of by products
What are some examples of addition polymers?
Polyethylene (PE)
Poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC)
Polystyrene
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
Explain the process of the synthesis of addition polymers
One of the bonds in the carbon-carbon double bond C=C breaks. The breaking of the C=C bond results in each carbon having an electron available to form a chemical bond with another monomeric unit
This repeats itself multiple times, resulting in polymer chains that are thousands of units long
What is the relationship between the weight of a polymer chain and monomer?
MM (Addition polymer) = MM (Monomer) * n(number of moles)
What is condensation polymerisation?
It is a polymer forming process where monomers react with the elimination of a small molecule (typically H2O).
If x monomers are condensed to form a condensation polymer, then (x-1) H2O molecules are eliminated
This is formed from monomers containing two functional groups (also known as difunctional monomers). For each newly formed covalent bond, an additional molecule is formed and released as a by product of the condensation polymerisation reaction. The by product molecules released are small molecules like water or methanol.
Natural condensation polymers include cellulose, starch, wool, silk and hair
Synthetic condensation polymers include polyesters (e.g. PET) and polyamides (e.g.nylons)
What are the 2 important condensation polymers?
Polyesters and polyamides (nylon)
What are polyesters? Example?
Polyesters contain repeating units joined by ester links -COO- ( R-C=O-O-) [kinda]. In this case, there will be either -COOH or -OH at the ends of monomers.
The ester link is formed from a condensation reaction between hydroxyl and carboxyl groups
An example of polyesters is polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
How is PET synthesised?
Condensation polymerisation of terphthalic acid (benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid) and ethylene glycol (ethan-1,2-diol) (will have to look at image)
It is made from two monomers, each containg two hydroxyl groups and two carboxl groups. As such, PET is an example of a condensation copolymer.
The hydoxyl and carboxyl groups from each monomer react and produce water molecules as a by product for every ester bond (ester link) formed (n-1 rule = no. of water molecules formed)
What is the molecular weight relationship for a condensation homopolymer?
MM (Homopolymer) = MM (monomer) * n - MM (By product) * (n-1)
where n is the number of repeating units in the polymer chain, and by product is a small molecule produced in condensation reaction like water
What is the molecular weight relationship for a condensation copolymer?
MM (copolymer) = MM (Monomer 1) *n + MM (Monomer 2) * n - MM (By product) * (2n-1)
where n is the number of repeating units in the polymer chain, and by product is a small molecule produced in condensation reaction like water
What is a polyamide?
These contain repeating units joined by amide bonds (-CONH) (C double bonded to O and bonded to an NH)
The amide link is formed fro a condensation reaction between carboxyl and amino (-NH2) groups
What is a common example of a polyamide?
Nylon 6,6 (most commonly used nylon)
How is nylon 6,6 synthesised?
Condensation polymerisation of adipic acid (hexanoic acid) and hexamethylene diamine (1,6-diaminohexane) - will have to look at picture
How are nylons named?
Nylons are systematically named to reflect the monomers that compose the polymer chain. the numbers indicate the number of carbon atoms between each amide link
Single digits indicate that the nylon is made from a single monomer (homopolymer), whereas two digits indicate that the nylon is made from two types of monomers (copolymer)
What are the typical requirements considered when determining the suitability of a polymer for a given application?
Mechanical performance, chemical resistance, electric insulation, biocompatability, appearance and opacity 9transparency) and texture
Must also take into consideration; cost, complexity, availability and environmentla impact
What are the general properties of polymers?
Lightweight
Durable
Acid and base resistant
Non conductive of electricity
Flammable
impermeable to water
What are mechanical properties?
These are intended as the ability of the material to withstand an applied force without breaking or permanent deformation.
Polymers can exhibit tensile strength (resistant to pulling), flexural strength (resistant to bending) and toughness (resistance to impact)
WHat does brittle mean?
They break with minimal deformation. They break before change of shape
What does ductile mean?
When they deform extensively before breaking (in other words they can stretch)