Polymers A2 Flashcards
What are the 2 types of polymerisation
Addition and condensation
How is addition polymerisation done
Small monomers of alkenes are bonded together by splitting the double bond. This requires high pressure and high temperature
What occurs in a condensation polymerisation reaction
Two molecules react together and a water or hydrogen chloride is eliminated. This is repeated for a full chain
What will occur in a condensation polymer made from a carboxylic acid and an ester
The OH is removed from the carboxylic acid and a H is removed from the ester
What is a polyester
A polymer with the ester functional group (COO) repeated multiple times
How is a polyester made
Polymerisation of a diol and a dicarboxylic acid
What is a polyamide
A polymer with the amide functional group (CONH) repeated multiple times
Give an example of a polyester
Terylene
Give an example of a polyamide
Kevlar
Why are addition polymers nonbiodegradable
They have strong non-polar C-H and C=C bonds. These have to be incinerated or melted down
What is the pros and cons of burning poly(alkenes)
Produces energy but also produces CO and CO2
What is the environmental advantage of condensation polymers
They can be broken down by hydrolysis and so are biodegradable
How does the hydrolysis work
This reaction replaces the HO and H removed from the monomers in the condensation polymers
Describe the intermolecular forces in condensation polymers
Polymer chains are longer rather than branched, so has stronger Van der Waals forces. Polyamides have hydrogen bonding and polyesters have dipole-dipole forces
