POLYMERS

POLYMER

Poly = many

Mer = units

• Polymers are large molecules that has many units bonded together

• The individual units made up the polymer are called monomers

Natural Polymers

Amylose (in starch) DNA

Natural Polymers (Cont’d)

Protein

Types of Synthetic Polymers

• Addition polymer: monomers with double bonds are joined together through addition

• Examples:

• polyethene; plastic bags, plastic water bottles, tys

• polystyrene; styrene and Styrofoam cups, insulation, packaging

• polyvinylchloride (PVC, vinyl); building construction materials, sewage pipes, medical equipment

• Condensation polymer: monomers are joined by formation of esters or amide

• Need a carboxylic acid or a diamide

• Examples:

• Nylon – tires, synthetic fibres used to make rope and clothing

• Polyester (DacronTM) – fibres used to make fabric for clothing and surgery

Type 1: Addition polymers

• Made by addition reaction of monomers that have double bonds or triple bonds

Properties of Addition Polymers

• Stable as the double bond converted to single bond

• Flexible, stretchable and mouldable thanks to lots of weak, intermolecular forces that hold the long polymer chain together

Plastic bag- How it’s made???

• Made from a polymer

• Polyethylene

• Take 1 million years to break down/ degrade a plastic bag

Another Man-made Addition Polymer

• The super absorbent polymer is Polyacrylic acid

Super absorbent Polymer (Cont)

• Absorb up to 1,000 g of water per gram of polymer

Applications of Nylon• Invented by Dupont

• Nylon stands for New York

& London

• Tear resistant

• Water-proof

Used in making:

• parachutes

• stocking

• sleeping bags

• tent, sail

• cooking utensils

Silicone as polymer

Silicone based baking pan

Silicone breast implant

Traditional metal baking pan

Silicone structure

POLYMER TIME! Making slime• Pour Elmer Glue to the mark in a plastic

cup• Add equal volume of water to dissolve

the glue• Add desire food colorant• Stir • Add prepared Borax solution

DROPWISE until the slime is somewhat thicken

• Don’t add too much Borax