Polymer
chemistry:
Classification of
polymer.
Polymers
Let us start our journy
What is the mean
of polymer ?
● The word “Polymer” is derived from two Greek
words, „Poly‟ that means many (numerous) and
„Mer‟ which means unitsYou can organize your
ideas clearly.
● Polymers are the macromolecules formed by
linking of a large number of small units
called monomers through chemical reactions.
The process of formation of polymers is
called polymerization.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 02
origin Structure of the chain
-Natural. -Linear
-semi-synthetic. -Branched
-Synthetic. -Cross-linked
- Star
- Dendrimers
03 04
Monomer type tacticity
-Homopolymer -Isotactic polymer
-Heteropolymer -Syndiotactic polymer
-Atactic polymer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
05 06
Mode of formation thermal behavior
-Addition polymerization -Thermoplastic
-Condensation polymerization -Thermosetting
07 08
crystallinity molecular forces
-Crystalline -Elastomers
-Amorphous -Fibers
Classification of Polymers
according to;
1- The nature of the polymer (The Origin)
2- The shape of the polymer chains (The polymeric structure)
3- The monomer type (The chemical structure)
4- The Orientation of pendent groups (Tacticity)
5- The method of preparation (Mode of formation)
6- The effect of heat (Thermal response)
7- The Molecular force
8- The Crystallinity
Origin.
Semi-
Natural Synthetic
synthetic
These polymers occur These polymers are These polymers are
naturally in nature and developed from natural completely man-made.
are found in plants and polymers and are
animals. chemically modified. Ex: Nylon Fibers and
(Partially man-made) plastics
Ex: Cellulose, protein
,starch, natural rubber Ex: Rayon and Gun
and natural silk. cotton.
Classification
according to:
the shape of the polymer
structure
Linear polymers
Branched polymers
Cross-Linked polymers
Star polymers
Dendrimers
Structure.
Linear Branched Cross-Linked
In these polymers They have a long straight This type of polymers,
monomers are linked chain with different side monomers are linked
with each other and chains form branches. together to form a 3D
form a long straight network.
chain without any side Ex: LDPE - LLDPE
chains. Ex: CLPE
Ex: HDPE
(4) Star polymers
Chains are joined together at common center
(5) Dendrimers polymers
Called tree polymers
Polymers have unusual shapes and properties
some trials are done to make artificial blood
Copolymers Homopolymers
Polymers prepared from
Polymers prepared from
more than one only one type of
type of monomer
monomer
-A-B-A-B- -A-A-A-A-
Alternating co-polymer
-A-B-B-A-B-
Random co-polymer
-A-A-A-B-B-B-
Block co-polymer
Copolymers Homopolymers
(Graft Copolymers)
1- Isotactic polymer
R R R R R R R R R
Polymer in which all pendent groups are in the same direction.
R R R R
2- Syndiotactic polymer
R R R R R
Polymer in which pendent groups are alternated in two directions.
R R R
3- Atactic polymer
R R R R R R
Polymer in which all pendent groups are distributed randomly.
Classification of polymer according to:
The Orientation of pendent groups
(Tacticity)
Tacticity is the way in which the pendent groups are
arranged along the backbone chain.
Isotactic polymer Syndiotactic polymer Atactic polymer
Classification of polymers according to:
The method of preparation
1- Addition polymerization ( we need Initiator)
polymerization
x
x
x
2- Condensation polymerization ( we do not need Initiator)
x
x
x
Examples
H2C CH2 + H2C CH2
ethylene ethylene
(monomer) (monomer)
polymerization
( we need Initiator)
CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 Polyethylene
(polymer)
n CH2=CH2 polymerization
( CH2 CH2 )
ethylene Polyethylene n
(PE)
Polyethylene
PE
n F2C CF2 polymerization *
F2C CF2 n *
Poly tetra floro ethylene(PTFE)
tetra floro
ethylene
n H2C CH polymerization H2C CH n
Cl
Cl Poly vinyl chloride (PVC)
Vinyl chloride
polymerization
n H2C CH H2C CH n
Vinyl benzene Poly styrene
(Styrene) (PS)
polymerization
n H2C CH H2C CH n
CN
Vinyl cyanide
CN Poly Acrylonitrile (PAN)
(Acrylonitrile)
Note that : 1- In this method of polymerisation we use vinyl monomers ( = )
2- The produced polymer contains the same number of atoms
as the monomer.
3- This method of polymerisation called Chain-growth polymerization
HOOC COOH + OH CH2 CH2 OH
Monomer (terphalic acid) monomer (ethylene glycol )
polymerization
n -- H2O
n
HOOC COO CH2 CH2 OH + H2O
(polymer)
( OOC COO CH2 CH2 )
n
polymer (poly ethylene terphalate- PETP)
Note that : 1- In this method of polymerisation we use bifunction monomer.
2- The produced polymer contains fewer atoms than the monomer
due to the formation of byproduct (H2O).
3- This method of polymerisation called Step-growth polymerization
Addition Polymerization Condensation Polymerization
involve ene-monomers Involve Bifuntional monomers
Polymerization does not lead to loss of smaller Leads to loss of simple molecules like H2O , HCL,
molecules ect..
Empirical formula is the same as that of monomer Empirical formula is different from the constituent
monomers
Examples: PVC and Teflon Examples: Nylon6,6 and Bakelite
Classification of polymers
according to:
the effect of heat
Thermoplastic Thermoset
1- Linear or branched 1- Network polymers
2- Can melt and flow by heating and return to 2- Can not melt or flow by heating but
its original state by cooling hardness increase and can not return to its
i.e. reversible process original state by cooling i.e. irreversible
process
3- It can melt so it can be molded 3- It can not melt so it can not be molded
4- Can dissolve in some solvent 4- Can not dissolve in any solvent
5- Good mechanical properties 5- low mechanical properties
Thermal behavior.
Thermoplastic Thermosetting
polymers polymers
-Melt on heating, harden on -This polymer is hard and
cooling. infusible on heating.
-They may be linear or -They are cross linked
branched chain polymers. polymers .
-Reversible. -Irreversible.
-Examples: PE,PVC -Example: Bakelite
Molecular forces.
ElastomersFibers • polymers which are a thread like in
nature, and can easily be woven.
• polymers that have viscosity and • They have strong intermolecular
elasticity and therefore are known forces between the chains giving
as viscoelasticity. them less elasticity .
• The molecules of elastomers are • The intermolecular forces may
held together by weak be hydrogen bonds .
intermolecular forces • Fibers have sharp and high melting
• They regaining their original shape points.
and size after being significantly • Example:Nylon-66 which Is used in
stretched. carpets
• example: Natural Rubber.
Crystallinity.
crystalline
- monomers arranged in an
ordered way
amorphous
- monomers arranged in a
random way
