POLYMERS

A guide for GCSE students

2010
KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING SPECIFICATIONS

POLYMERS
INTRODUCTION
This Powerpoint show is one of several produced to help students understand selected GCSE Chemistry topics. It is based on the requirements of the AQA specification but is suitable for other examination boards. Individual students may use the material at home for revision purposes and it can also prove useful for classroom teaching with an interactive white board. Accompanying notes on this, and the full range of AS and A2 Chemistry topics, are available from the KNOCKHARDY WEBSITE at...

www.knockhardy.org.uk

All diagrams, photographs and any animations in this Powerpoint are original and created by Jonathan Hopton. Permission must be obtained for their use in any work that is distributed for financial gain.

POLYMERS
CONTENTS
What is polymerisation? Types of polymerisation Addition polymerisation of ethene Other polymerisation examples

Sources of monomers
Disposal of polymers Questions

For more detailed information on fractional distillation, cracking and the properties of hydrocarbons such as alkanes and alkenes, see the appropriate Powerpoint on the Knockhardy GCSE site. www.knockhardy.org.uk/gcse.htm

WHAT IS POLYMERISATION?

POLYMERISATION
A process in which small molecules called monomers join together into large molecules consisting of repeating units.

POLYMERISATION
A process in which small molecules called monomers join together into large molecules consisting of repeating units.

There are two basic types

POLYMERISATION
A process in which small molecules called monomers join together into large molecules consisting of repeating units.

There are two basic types

ADDITION all the atoms in the monomer are used to form the polymer

examples

poly(ethene), polystyrene, pvc, ptfe

POLYMERISATION
A process in which small molecules called monomers join together into large molecules consisting of repeating units.

There are two basic types

ADDITION all the atoms in the monomer are used to form the polymer

examples
CONDENSATION

poly(ethene), polystyrene, pvc, ptfe

monomers join up the with expulsion of small molecules not all the original atoms are present in the polymer

examples

nylon, polyesters, pva

POLYMERISATION
A process in which small molecules called monomers join together into large molecules consisting of repeating units.

There are two basic types

ADDITION all the atoms in the monomer are used to form the polymer

examples
CONDENSATION

poly(ethene), polystyrene, pvc, ptfe

monomers join up the with expulsion of small molecules not all the original atoms are present in the polymer

examples

nylon, polyesters, pva

ALKENES UNDERGO ADDITION POLYMERISATION

POLYMERISATION
during polymerisation, alkenes undergo an addition reaction all the atoms in the original alkenes are used to form the polymer long hydrocarbon chains are formed

POLYMERISATION
during polymerisation, alkenes undergo an addition reaction all the atoms in the original alkenes are used to form the polymer long hydrocarbon chains are formed

POLYMERISATION
during polymerisation, alkenes undergo an addition reaction all the atoms in the original alkenes are used to form the polymer long hydrocarbon chains are formed

the diagram shows the original monomer and the repeating unit in the polymer

ethene

poly(ethene)

MONOMER

POLYMER

POLYMERISATION
during polymerisation, alkenes undergo an addition reaction all the atoms in the original alkenes are used to form the polymer long hydrocarbon chains are formed

the diagram shows the original monomer and the repeating unit in the polymer

n represents a large number

ethene

poly(ethene)

MONOMER

POLYMER

the number of repeating units is the same as the number of original molecules

POLYMERISATION
The animation shows the monomers turning into the polymer

OTHER POLYMERISATION REACTIONS

ETHENE

POLY(ETHENE)

PROPENE

POLY(PROPENE)

CHLOROETHENE

POLY(CHLOROETHENE)
POLYVINYLCHLORIDE PVC

TETRAFLUOROETHENE

POLY(TETRAFLUOROETHENE) PTFE Teflon

SOURCES OF MONOMERS

SOURCES OF MONOMERS
FROM CRUDE OIL

SOURCES OF MONOMERS
FROM CRUDE OIL
CRUDE OIL IS FRACTIONALLY DISTILLED HEAVIER HYDROCARBON FRACTIONS ARE LESS USEFUL

SOURCES OF MONOMERS
FROM CRUDE OIL
CRUDE OIL IS FRACTIONALLY DISTILLED HEAVIER HYDROCARBON FRACTIONS ARE LESS USEFUL

THEIR MOLECULES ARE BROKEN DOWN INTO SMALLER ONES

THIS PROCESS IS KNOWN AS CRACKING

SOURCES OF MONOMERS
FROM CRUDE OIL
CRUDE OIL IS FRACTIONALLY DISTILLED HEAVIER HYDROCARBON FRACTIONS ARE LESS USEFUL

THEIR MOLECULES ARE BROKEN DOWN INTO SMALLER ONES

THIS PROCESS IS KNOWN AS CRACKING

ETHENE (an alkene)

SOURCES OF MONOMERS
FROM CRUDE OIL
CRUDE OIL IS FRACTIONALLY DISTILLED HEAVIER HYDROCARBON FRACTIONS ARE LESS USEFUL

THEIR MOLECULES ARE BROKEN DOWN INTO SMALLER ONES

THIS PROCESS IS KNOWN AS CRACKING

ETHENE (an alkene)

ALKENES ARE AN IMPORTANT PRODUCT OF CRACKING ETHENE (C2H4) IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ALKENE

PROBLEMS WITH POLYMERS

PROBLEMS WITH POLYMERS

Although polymers derived from alkenes are invaluable to modern society, their disposal creates widespread problems.

PROBLEMS WITH POLYMERS

Although polymers derived from alkenes are invaluable to modern society, their disposal creates widespread problems. they are unreactive to most chemicals they are unreactive to bacteria (non-biodegradable)

if they are just discarded they add to the landfill problem

PROBLEMS WITH POLYMERS

Although polymers derived from alkenes are invaluable to modern society, their disposal creates widespread problems. they are unreactive to most chemicals they are unreactive to bacteria (non-biodegradable)

if they are just discarded they add to the landfill problem

OPTIONS

PROBLEMS WITH POLYMERS

Although polymers derived from alkenes are invaluable to modern society, their disposal creates widespread problems. they are unreactive to most chemicals they are unreactive to bacteria (non-biodegradable)

if they are just discarded they add to the landfill problem

OPTIONS
recycling incinerate high cost of collection and re-processing saves on landfill sites and produces energy produces toxic fumes
Plastic bags are being made from polymers and cornstarch so that they break down more easily

but

POLYMERISATION OF ALKENES

QUESTIONS

POLYMERISATION OF ALKENES
CAN YOU SPOT THE ORIGINAL ALKENE MONOMER?

POLYMERISATION OF ALKENES
CAN YOU SPOT THE ORIGINAL ALKENE MONOMER?

For more detailed information on FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION AND CRACKING, please see the appropriate Powerpoint on the Knockhardy GCSE site.
www.knockhardy.org.uk/gcse.htm

POLYMERS
THE END

2011 JONATHAN HOPTON & KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING