3.
Many of the raw materials for
Polymer
1. Polymer is a large molecule
made up of many smaller and
identical repeating units joined
together by covalent bonds.
These small molecules that
are joined into chains are
called monomers.
2. Polymerisation is the
chemical process by which the
monomers are joined together
to form molecule known as the
polymer.
3. A polymer is a macromolecule
(a very big molecule). Hence,
the relative molecular mass of
a polymer is large.
4. The properties of a polymer
are different from its
monomers.
5. Polymers can be divided into
two types:
>Naturally polymers
>Synthetic polymers.
Natural Polymers
1. These occur naturally in living
things.
2. Some examples of natural
polymers are:
>Natural rubber in latex
>Protein in mucles, leathers,
silks, hairs and furs
>Carbohydrates in starch and
cellulose
3. Some natural polymers are
made up of carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen and oxygen.
Synthetic Polymers
1. Synthetic polymer is a
polymer that is manufactured
in industry from chemical
substances through the
polymerisation process.
2. Examples of synthetic
polymers are plastics,
synthetic fibres and
elastomers.
the synthetic polymers are
obtained from petroleum.
4. There are two types of
polymerisation process:
>Addition polymerisation
>Condensation polymerization.
5. Plastics such as polythene and
PVC are produced by addition
polymerisation, whereas
synthetic fibres such as nylon
and Terylene are made by
condensation polymerisation.
Both nylon and Terylene are
synthetic fibre used for making
clothing.
6. Some examples of synthetic
addition polymers, their
monomers and uses are
shown in table below.
Synthetic Polymer:
Polythene (PE)
Monomer: Ethane
Uses: Plastic bags, plastic toys,
plastic cups and plates.
Synthetic Polymer: Polypropene
(PP)
Monomer: Propene
Uses: Plastic bottles, bottle
crates, plastic tables and chairs,
car battery cases and ropes.
Synthetic Polymer:
Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
Monomer: Chloroethane
Uses: Water pipes, records,
shoes, bags, raincoats, artificial
leather, and wire casing.
Synthetic Polymer: Polystyrene
Monomer: Phenylethane
Uses: Packaging material, toys,
plates, heat insulators and
disposable cups.
Synthetic Polymer:
Perspex
Monomer: Methylmethacrylate
Uses: Safety glass, reflectors,
lens and traffic signs.
Synthetic Polymer: Terylene
Monomer:
*Hezane-1,6-diol
*Benzene-1,4dicarboxylic acid
Uses: Clothing, sails and ropes.
Synthetic Polymer: Nylon
Monomer:
*Hezane-1,6diamine
*Hezane-1,6-dioic acid
Uses: Ropes, clothing and
carpets.
Issues of the use of
synthetic polymers in
everyday life
1. Synthetic polymers have been
used widely to replace natural
materials.
2. Advantages of synthetic
polymers:
>Strong and light
>Cheap
>Able to resist corrosion
>Inert to chemical attacks
>Easily moulded or shaped
and dyed
3. The use of synthetic polymer,
however, results in
environmental pollution
problems from the disposal of
synthetic polymers because:
>Most polymers are non-
biodegradable (cannot be
decomposed by bacteria or
other microorganisms).
>Plastic items block drains and
rivers, causing flash floods.
>Plastic containers become
breeding places for
mosquitoes.
>Small plastics swallowed by
aquatic animals cause death.
>Burning of polymers release
harmful gases that cause air
pollution.
4. Petroleum, the main source of
raw materials for the making of
synthetic polymers is a non-
renewable resource.
5. Methods to overcome these
problems of polymers are:
>Reduce, reuse and recycle
synthetic polymers.
>Make biodegradable
polymers.