Polymers Flashcards
1
Q
What does biodegradable mean?
A
If a product is able to be broken down by micro-organisms
2
Q
Why are plastics not biodegradable?
A
The C-C bond is not reactive.
The bonds are non-polar and not susceptible to attacks by nucleophiles or enzymes.
The bonds cannot be hydrolysed.
3
Q
How does a plasticiser work?
A
Plasticisers are small molecules that are added to the polymer mix that decrease the stiffness of a polymer.
The plasticiser gets in between the polymer chain and keeps them further apart which reduces the intermolecular forces of attraction between them, making the material more flexible.
4
Q
How does mechanical recycling work?
A
- Sort plastics
- Break down into pellets
- Melted then remoulded
5
Q
How does feedstock recycling work?
A
- Break down polymers into monomers by heating
- Use monomers to make new polymers
