POLYMERS
POLYMER
A polymer is a large molecule of high molecular mass formed by the union
of large number of simple molecule
• The small molecules that form the repeating units in a polymer are
known as monomer units
• The process by which monomers are converted in to polymer is called
polymerization.
• All polymers are macromolecules while all macromolecules may not be
polymers in nature.
E.g.: chlorophyll is a macromolecule but not a polymer, since there are
no monomer units present.
CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMERS
On the basis of the Nature of the repeating structural units.
1.Homopolymer: obtained from only one type of monomer molecules
, E.g.: Polyethene, PVC, nylon 6
2. Copolymer or mixed polymer or heteropolymer or terpolymer :
obtained from two or more types of monomer molecules
E.g.: Buna –S is a copolymer of 1,3-butadiene and styrene
On the basis of origin
1. Natural polymers : found in nature (plants and animals)
E.g.: Starch, cellulose ,protiens, natural rubber, wood, silk
2. Synthetic polymer : These are manmade polymers made in
laboratories or
factories
E.g.: Polythene, PVC, nylon6,6 , Teflon, Orlon
3. Semi synthetic polymer: These are chemically modified natural
polymers
E.g.: rayon( cellulose acetate), gun cotton (cellulose nitrate)
On the basis of structure
1. Linear chain polymers : Here the monomers are joined together in
linear
POLYMER
A polymer is a large molecule of high molecular mass formed by the union
of large number of simple molecule
• The small molecules that form the repeating units in a polymer are
known as monomer units
• The process by which monomers are converted in to polymer is called
polymerization.
• All polymers are macromolecules while all macromolecules may not be
polymers in nature.
E.g.: chlorophyll is a macromolecule but not a polymer, since there are
no monomer units present.
CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMERS
On the basis of the Nature of the repeating structural units.
1.Homopolymer: obtained from only one type of monomer molecules
, E.g.: Polyethene, PVC, nylon 6
2. Copolymer or mixed polymer or heteropolymer or terpolymer :
obtained from two or more types of monomer molecules
E.g.: Buna –S is a copolymer of 1,3-butadiene and styrene
On the basis of origin
1. Natural polymers : found in nature (plants and animals)
E.g.: Starch, cellulose ,protiens, natural rubber, wood, silk
2. Synthetic polymer : These are manmade polymers made in
laboratories or
factories
E.g.: Polythene, PVC, nylon6,6 , Teflon, Orlon
3. Semi synthetic polymer: These are chemically modified natural
polymers
E.g.: rayon( cellulose acetate), gun cotton (cellulose nitrate)
On the basis of structure
1. Linear chain polymers : Here the monomers are joined together in
linear
