Introduction to

polymeric Materials
 COURSE CONTENT

UNIT I: (3 Lectures)
Introduction: Origins of Polymer science, basic definitions, nomenclature and functionality.
UNIT II: (10 Lectures)
Polymerization techniques: Radical Ionic (cationic, anionic and ring opening) Step-growth, Controlled radical polymerization (ATRP, RAFT
& NMP), Copolymerization and Click chemistry. Polymerization reactions initiated by metal catalysts and transfer reactions
UNIT III: (3 Lectures)
Polymerization process and kinetics: Solution, bulk, emulsion, dispersion micelle and interfacial
UNIT IV: (4 Lectures)
Conjugated Polymers: Chemical synthesis, mechanism and functionalization of polymers.
UNIT II: (6 Lectures)
Polymer isomerism and conformational changes: Constitutional isomerism, conformational isomerism and chain conformation.
UNIT V: (13 Lectures)
Characterization: Detection through IR, UV and NMR spectroscopy; Number, weight and viscosity average molecular weight determination
techniques (osmometry, light scattering and viscometry); Thermodynamics of the polymer solution.
Morphology; Glass transition; Structure of amorphous and crystalline phases, Melting and molecular dimensions in the amorphous state.
Degradation, stability and environmental issues of polymers.
READINGS
TEXTBOOK:
1. The Elements of Polymer Science and Engineering by Alfred Rudin, Academic Press.
2. Polymers: Chemistry & Physics of Modern Materials by JMG Cowie, Nelson Thornes Ltd, UK.
3. Introduction to Polymers by R.J. Young and P.A. Lovell Nelson Thornes Ltd, UK
4. Conducting Polymers, Fundamentals and Applications: A Practical Approach
Prasanna Chandrasekhar; Kluwer Acad. Publ. Group, The Netherlands

REFERENCE BOOKS:
1. Handbook of Conducting Polymers, 2 Volume Set (Handbook of Conducting Polymers, Third Edition) 3rd Edition, by
Terje A. Skotheim, John Reynolds; CRC Press, Fl, USA
2. Polymer Synthesis: Theory and Practice: Fundamentals, Methods, Experiments by Dietrich Braun, Harald Cherdron,
Matthias Rehahn, Helmut Ritter, Brigitte Voit; Springer, Germany
 Study Evaluation

Mid-Term Exam: 30 Marks

End-Term Exam: 50 Marks

Assignments and Quiz: 15 Marks

Attendance : 05 Marks
Progress of civilization

Stone age → Bronze age → Iron age → Polymer age

Next ?
 Origin of polymer science

▪ The first modern example of polymer science is Henri Braconnot's work in the 1830s (developed derivatives of
the natural polymer cellulose, producing new, semi-synthetic materials, such as celluloid and cellulose acetate).

▪ The term "polymer" was coined in 1833 by Jöns Jakob Berzelius (Swedish Chemist).

▪ In the 1840s, Friedrich Ludersdorf and Nathaniel Hayward independently discovered that adding sulfur to
raw natural rubber (polyisoprene) helped prevent the material from becoming sticky.

▪ In 1844 Charles Goodyear received a U.S. patent for vulcanizing natural rubber with sulfur and
heat. Thomas Hancock had received a patent for the same process in the UK the year before.

▪ In 1884 Hilaire de Chardonnet started the first artificial fiber plant based on regenerated cellulose,
or viscose rayon, as a substitute for silk, but it was very flammable.

▪ In 1907 Leo Baekeland invented the first synthetic plastic, a thermosetting phenol–formaldehyde resin
called Bakelite.

▪ Hermann Staudinger in 1922: Hermann Staudinger was the first to propose that polymers consisted of long chains
of atoms held together by covalent bonds; Nobel Prize in 1953.

▪ World War II marked the emergence of a strong commercial polymer industry.

 Nobel prizes related to polymer science

▪ 1953 (Chemistry) Hermann Staudinger: Understanding of macromolecular chemistry.

▪ 1963 (Chemistry) Giulio Natta and Karl Ziegler: Polymer synthesis (Ziegler-Natta catalysis).

▪ 1974 (Chemistry) Paul J. Flory: Theoretical polymer chemistry.

▪ 1991 (Physics) Pierre-Gilles de Gennes: A generalized theory of phase transitions.

▪ 2000 (Chemistry) Alan G. MacDiarmid, Alan J. Heeger, and Hideki Shirakawa: Conductive
polymers.

▪ 2002 (Chemistry) John Bennett Fenn, Koichi Tanaka, and Kurt Wüthrich: Identification and
structure analyses of biological macromolecules.

▪ 2005 (Chemistry) Robert Grubbs, Richard Schrock, and Yves Chauvin: Olefin metathesis.
Application of polymeric materials
 What is a polymer?
A very large molecule, or macromolecular Examples of
structures, composed of many repeated subunits monomers and polymers
(chain-like in nature).
Poly + mer
Monomer Polymer
(many) (repeat unit)

repeat CH2 CH2

unit CH2CH2
H H H H H H
CH2 CHCl CH2CH2
C C C C C C
H H H H H H Cl
O
Polyethylene (PE)
H2C CH2 CH2CH2O
repeat repeat
unit unit
HOCH 2CH2OH CH2CH2O
H H H H H H H H H H H H
C C C C C C C C C C C C O

H Cl H Cl H Cl H CH3 H CH3 H CH3 HO CO2H O C

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Polypropylene (PP)
▪ It can be both synthetic and natural types.

Natural Polymers Synthetic Polymers

https://www.barnwell.co.uk/what-is-a-
Concepts and Knowledge should be understood by the students

▪ Structure of a polymer ▪ Instrumental techniques used to evaluate polymer

properties (GPC, light scattering, DSC, TMA, TGA,
▪ Polymer synthesis and kinetics (condensation, free DMA, etc.)
radical, anionic/cationic polymerization, etc.
▪ Rheology – non-Newtonian polymer properties
▪ Molecular weight and molecular weight distribution
▪ Phase separation with polymers - like dissolves
▪ Crosslinking and its implications “exactly” like

▪ Polymer “phases” and phase transitions ▪ Interactions w/small molecules – dissolution, diffusion,
swelling, and plasticizing

▪ Bio-based polymers
 Definitions
According to the amount of repeating units
▪ Monomer : one unit
▪ Oligomer : few repeating units
▪ Polymer : many repeating units (poly – many, mer – part)
▪ Telechelic polymer : polymer containing reactive end group
Telechelic oligomer : oligomer containing reactive end group
▪ Macromer (=macro monomer) : monomer containing long chain

DP: Degree of polymerization

The total number of repeating units (contained terminal group)

The kinds of applied monomers Problem

One kinds of units : Homopolymer Determine the approximate number of repeat units (degree of
Two kinds of units : Copolymer polymerization) for a polypropylene chain with a molecular
weight of 5.4 104.
Three kinds of units : Terpolymer
Types of copolymers

Homopolymer : -A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-

Random copolymer : -A-B-B-A-B-A-A-B-A-B-

Alternating copolymer : -A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B-A-

Block copolymer : -A-A-A-A-B-B-B-B-A-A-A-B-B-B-A-

B
B
Graft copolymer : -A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A
B B
B B
B B
Tacticity of Polymers

▪ Orientation of monomeric units in polymers

takes place orderly/disorderly with respect
to the main chain.

▪ This difference in configuration affects their

physical properties

❑ All functional groups or side groups are on the same

side (Isotactic)

❑ All groups are on their alternating positions

(Syndiotactic)

❑ All groups are randomly arranged (Atactic)

❖ Eutactic: either isotactic, syndiotactic or mixture of both

For example,

Example: Atactic polypropylene is a gummy solid (amorphous),

whereas isotactic form is highly crystalline and tough.
Exemplification of polymer forms

(a) Linear (b) Branch

(c) Crosslinked (d) Network

❑ Both linear and branched polymers are thermoplastics.

However, crosslinked three dimensional, or network, Thermoplastic and Thermoset Polymers
polymers are thermoset polymers. (Response to temperature) ?
 Thermoplastic and Thermoset Polymers
(Response to temperature)

Thermoplastic Polymers: Soften when heated and hardened when cooled and vice-versa

Examples: Polyester, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon and Teflon

Thermoset Polymers: Permanently hard (do not softened when heated)

Examples: Polyester, silicone, melamine, polyurethane, epoxy, urea formaldehyde.

Google image
Types of Commercial Polyethylene
Polymer Structure (Morphology)
The size and shape of polymers are intimately connected to their properties. The shape of polymers is also
intimately connected to the size of the various units that make up the macromolecules and the various primary and
secondary bonding forces that are present within the chain and between chains.

The structure of both synthetic and natural polymers is generally described in terms of four levels of structure.

❑ Primary structure describes the precise sequence of the individual atoms that compose the polymer chain. For
examples, an average structure of proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids

❑ Secondary structure describes the molecular shape or conformation of the polymer chain. For most linear
polymers this shape approaches a helical or “pleated skirt” (or sheet) arrangement depending on the nature of
the polymer, treatment, and function.

❑ Tertiary structure describes the shaping or folding of the polymer.

❑ Quaternary structure represents the overall shape of groups of the tertiary structures where the tertiary
structures may be similar or different.
❑ A variety of chemical interactions determine
the proteins' tertiary structure.

❑ These include hydrophobic interactions,

ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, and
disulfide linkages.
 Stereochemistry of Polymers
▪ The polymer “remembers” its initial segmental arrangement and returns to it through the guiding of the
crosslinks. For example, rubber (reversible changes)

▪ Nonreversible changes of polymer segments through stress–strain actions.

▪ These irreversible or nonreversible changes occur with both crosslinked and noncrosslinked materials and are largely
responsible for the change in polymer property as the material moves from being synthesized, processed, fabricated, and
used.

Typical Properties of Straight

Chain Hydrocarbons
Molecular interactions
The forces present in nature are often divided into primary forces (typically greater than 50 kcal/mol [200 kJ/mol] of
interactions) and secondary forces (typically less than 10 kcal/mol [40 kJ/mol] of interactions).

▪ Primary bonding forces can be further subdivided into ionic, metallic, and covalent bonding. The bonding
lengths of primary bonds are usually about 0.90–2.0 A˚ (0.09–0.2 nm) with the carbon–carbon bond length being
about 1.5–1.6 A˚ (0.15–0.16 nm).

▪ Polymer molecules are attracted to each other by intermolecular, secondary forces. Secondary forces, frequently
called van der Waals forces are of longer distance in interaction, in comparison to primary bond lengths,
generally having significant interaction between 2.5 and 5 A˚ (0.25–0.5 nm). Secondary intermolecular forces include
London dispersion forces, induced permanent forces, and dipolar forces including hydrogen bonding.

Thus, many physical properties of polymers are indeed quite dependent on both

▪ Conformation (arrangements related to rotation about single bonds)

▪ Configuration (arrangements related to the actual chemical bonding about a given atom).
Critical chain length (z)
A critical chain length (z) above which the packing arrangement stays the same for different chain lengths. Investigating this critical
length is key for understanding how material properties change with the transition from small, individual molecules to large
polymer macromolecules.

Google
search

The critical chain length (z) required for the onset of entanglement is dependent on the polarity and shape of the polymer.

❑ The melt viscosity of a polymer is often found to be proportional to the 3.4 power of the critical chain length as related in
Eqn. given below, regardless of the structure of the polymer. The constant K is temperature-dependent.

Viscosity is a measure of the resistance to flow. The latter, which is the result of cooperative movement of the polymer segments from
hole to hole in a melt, is impeded by chain entanglement, high intermolecular forces, the presence of reinforcing agents, and
crosslinks
❑ The flexibility of amorphous polymers above the glassy state is governed by the same forces as melt viscosity and
is dependent on a wriggling type of segment motion in the polymer chains.

This flexibility is increased when many methylene groups (CH2) or oxygen atoms are present between stiffening groups
in the chain. Thus, the flexibility of aliphatic polyesters usually increases as m is increased.

In contrast, the flexibility of amorphous polymers above the glassy state is decreased when stiffening groups are
present in the polymer backbone
Glass transition temperature (Tg)
The glass transition temperature (Tg) of a polymer is the temperature region of the change from a rigid “glassy”
state to a flexible “rubbery” state.

Below Tg: Polymers are hard and brittle like glass, due to lack of mobility of chains

Above Tg: Polymers are soft and flexible like rubber, due to some mobility of chins

Above Tg: Physical and mechanical properties of polymers change

❑ The flexibility of amorphous polymers is reduced drastically when they

are cooled below a characteristic transition temperature called the
glass transition temperature (Tg).

❑ At temperatures below Tg, there is no segmental motion and any

dimensional changes in the polymer chain are the result of
temporary distortions of the primary valence bonds.

❑ Amorphous plastics perform best below Tg, but elastomers must be

used above the brittle point, or Tg.
▪ The melting point is the temperature range where total or whole polymer chain mobility occurs.

o The melting point (Tm) is called a first-order transition temperature, and Tg is sometimes called a second-order transition temperature.

o The values for Tm are usually 33–100% greater than Tg, and symmetrical polymers like HDPE exhibit the greatest difference between Tm
and Tg.

o The Tg values are low for elastomers and flexible polymers such as PE and dimethyl siloxane, and relatively high for hard amorphous plastics, such as
polyacrylonitrile and PET.

▪ Since the specific volume of polymers increases at Tg in order to accommodate the increased segmental chain motion, Tg values
may be estimated from plots of the change in specific volume with temperature. Other properties, such as stiffness (modulus),
refractive index, dielectric properties, gas permeability, X-ray adsorption, and heat capacity, all change at Tg.

Typical DTA thermogram of a polymer

Determination of Tg
by noting abrupt
change in specific Values for both Tg
volume. and Tm are observed
as endothermic
transitions in
calorimetric
measurements
Polymer Crystals (Polymer phases and phase transitions)
Polymers typically contain combinations of ordered (crystalline) regions and structures and less ordered (amorphous)
regions and structures. These different structures profoundly influence the chemical and physical properties of the material and
products derived from them.

Intra- or inter-molecular crystals

Amorphous, “glassy” phase
▪ “Solid Liquid”
▪ Glass transition temperature (Tg)
▪ Energy for segmental motion (flow)

Crystalline phase Intra-molecular chain folding

▪ “Microcrystalline” regions – act as “crosslinks”
▪ “Liquid Solid” – solid that is (well) above its Tg
▪ Degree of crystallinity often dependent on synthesis conditions
o It’s all about stereochemistry and order
o High vs low density polyethylene
▪ External manifestations – opacity and toughness
 Some models of the fold surface in polymer lamellae

Schematic two-dimensional representations of models of the fold surface in polymer Schematic two-dimensional representation of a
lamellae: (a) sharp folds, (b) switchboard model, (c) loops with loose folds, (d) modified micelle model of the crystalline
buttressed loops, and (e) a combination of these features. amorphous structure of polymers
incorporating features from left side models
Under applied tension including flow conditions

Under externally applied stress, including simple melt flow, the tertiary structure can
approach a “shish kebab” arrangement, where there are planes of platelets
separated by areas where there exist both crystalline and amorphous regions as
pictured in left side Figure.

❑ These “shish kebab” structures often organize into quaternary structures

consisting of bundles of “shish kebab” single-strand filaments forming fibrils.

Note:

(1) The shish entity consists of stretched chains (or chain segments) that can be in the
amorphous, mesomorphic or crystalline state.

(2) The kebab entity mainly arises from the crystallization of coiled chains (or chain
segments), which seems to follow a diffusion-control growth process.

Amorphous Bulk state

Crystalline polymer structures formed under applied

An amorphous bulk polymer contains chains that are arranged in something
tension including flow conditions. (Left) The tertiary less than a well-ordered, crystalline manner. Physically, amorphous polymers
mono-fibrilar structure including platelets and (right) exhibit a glass transition temperature but not a melting temperature, and do not
these mono-fibrilar structures bundled together forming
a quaternary structure fibril.
give a clear X-ray diffraction pattern.
Polymer Structure-Property Relationships

▪ Polymer properties are related not only to the chemical nature of the polymer but also to such factors as extent and distribution of
crystallinity, distribution of polymer chain lengths, and nature and amount of additives, such as fillers, reinforcing agents, and
plasticizers, to mention only a few.

▪ These factors influence essentially all the polymeric properties to some extent, such as hardness, flammability, weatherability,
chemical resistance, biological responses, comfort, appearance, dyeability, softening point, electrical properties, stiffness, flex
life, moisture retention, etc.
Selected Property–Structure Relationships

Polymeric materials that permits their division into three broad divisions—
elastomers or rubbers, fibers, and plastics.
❑ Elastomers are high polymers possessing chemical and/or physical crosslinks. For industrial application the
“use” temperature must be above Tg (to allow for “chain” mobility), and its normal state (unextended) must be
amorphous. The restoring force, after elongation, is largely due to entropy. As the material is elongated, the random
chains are forced to occupy more ordered positions. On release of the applied force the chains tend to return to a more
random state.

❑ Fiber properties include high tensile strength and high modulus (high stress for small strains). These can be
obtained from high molecular symmetry and high cohesive energies between chains, both requiring a fairly
high degree of polymer crystallinity. Fibers are normally linear and drawn (oriented) in one direction, producing high
mechanical properties in that direction. Typical condensation polymers, such as polyester and nylon, often exhibit
these properties. If the fiber is to be ironed, its Tg should be above 200oC, and if it is to be drawn from the
melt, its Tg should be below 300oC.

❑ Products with properties intermediate between elastomers and fibers are grouped together under the heading
“plastics.”

▪ Some polymers can be classified in these two categories, with properties being greatly varied by varying
molecular weight, end groups, processing, crosslinking, plasticizer, and so on.

For example, Nylon in its more crystalline from behaves as a fiber, whereas less crystalline forms are generally
classified as plastics.
General Property Performance–Structure Relationshipsa

General physical nature of materials as a function

of the amount of crystallinity and molecular weight.
 Nomenclature and Functionality

Common Names
❑ Some polymers are named as per their place of origin, such as Hevea brasiliensis- i.e “rubber from Brazil”-for
natural rubber.

❑ Some are named after their discoverer, as is Bakelite, condensation polymer of phenol and formaldehyde,
which was commercialized by Leo Baekeland in 1905.
❑ The nylons were named according to the number of carbons in the diamine and carboxylic acid reactants
(monomers) used in their syntheses.

❑ The nylon produced by the condensation of 1,6-hexanediamine (6 carbons) and sebacic acid (10 carbons) is
called nylon-6,10. Similarly, the polymer from 1,6-hexanediamine and adipic acid (each with 6 carbons) is
called nylon-6,6 or nylon-66, and the nylon from the single reactant caprolactam (6 carbons) is called nylon-6.
Source-based names
Most polymer names used by polymer scientists are source-based; i.e., they are based on the common name of the
reactant monomer, preceded by the prefix “poly.” For example, polystyrene is the most frequently used name for
the polymer derived from the monomer 1-phenylethene, which has the common name styrene.

The vast majority of polymers based on the vinyl group (CH2=CHX) or the vinylidene group (CH2=CX2) as the
repeat unit are known by their source-based names. For example, polyethylene is derived from the monomer
ethylene, poly (vinyl chloride) from the monomer vinyl chloride, and poly (methyl methacrylate) from methyl
methacrylate
In the case of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET),

the glycol portion of the name of the monomer, ethylene glycol, is used in constructing the polymer name, so that
the name is actually a hybrid of a source based and a structure-based name.

This polymer is well known by trade names, such

as Dacron, or its common grouping, polyester.
Thus there exists a variety of practices with respect to
even source based names.
Copolymers
Copolymers are composed of two or more monomer unit types.

❑ Source-based names are conveniently used to describe copolymers by using an appropriate term between the
names of the monomers.

❑ Different connecting terms may be used, depending on what is known about the structure of the copolymer.
When no information is specified about the sequence of monomer units in the copolymer, the connective term
co is used in the general format poly(A-co-B), where A and B are the names of the two monomers.

▪ An unspecified copolymer of styrene and methyl methacrylate would be called poly [styrene-co-(methyl
methacrylate)].

Qualifiers for copolymers

Structure-based names
Although source-based names are generally employed for simple polymers, IUPAC, has framed systems for the
naming of more complex polymers. The IUPAC system names the components of the repeat unit, arranged in a
prescribed order. The rules for selecting the order of the components to be used as the repeat unit are found elsewhere.
However, once the order is selected, the naming can be made as follows.

Polystyrene

Structure-based name
Structure-based name: Poly(1-phenylethylene) Poly [(1-methoxycarbonyl)-1-methylethylene)]

Or

Poly (methyl 2-methylpropeonate)

Table Source- and Structure-Based Names
Linkage-based names
▪ Many polymer “families” are referred to by the name of the particular linkage that connects the polymers .

▪ The family name is “poly” followed by the linkage name.

▪ Thus, polymers containing the carbonate linkage are known as polycarbonates; those containing the ether
linkage are called polyethers, etc.

Linkage-Based
Names
Abbreviation
PVC : Poly(vinyl chloride)
HDPE: High-density polyethylene
LDPE: Low-density polyethylene
PET: Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Industrial Polymers
(a). The world consumption of synthetic polymers : More than 150 million metric tons per year

1) Plastics : 56%
2) Fibers : 18%
3) Synthetic rubber : 11%
4) Coating and Adhesives : 15%

(b). Styrene-butadiene copolymer

Examples: Synthetic rubber, PET Fiber (polyester)

Latex paint Plastic (bottle)
Plastics
▪ Commodity plastics
LDPE, HDPE, PP, PVC, PS

▪ Engineering plastics
Acetal, Polyamide, Polyamideimide, Polyarylate, Polybenzimidazole, etc.

▪ Thermosetting plastics
Phenol-formaldehyde, Urea-formaldehyde, Unsaturated polyester, Epoxy, Melamine-formaldehyde

▪ Functional plastics
Optics, Biomaterial, etc.
Commodity Plastics

Type Abbreviation Major Uses

Low-density polyethylene LDPE Packaging film, wire and cable insulation,

toys, flexible bottles housewares, coatings

High-density HDPE Bottles, drums, pipe, conduit, sheet, film,

Polyethylene wire and cable insulation
PP Automobile and appliance parts, furniture,
Polypropylene
cordage, webbing, carpeting, film packaging

Poly(vinyl chloride) PVC Construction, rigid pipe, flooring, wire

and cable insulation, film and sheet
Polystyrene PS Packaging (foam and film), foam
insulation appliances, housewares, toys
 Engineering Plastics

Type Abbreviation

Acetala POM
Polyamideb
Polyamideimide PAI
Polyarylate
Polybenzimidazole PBI
Poltcarbonate PC
Polyeseterc
Polyetheretherketone PEEK
Polyetherimide PEI
Polyimide PI
Poly(phenylene oxide) PPO
Poly(phenylene sulfide) PPS
Polysulfoned
Thermosetting Plastics

Type Abbreviation Typical Uses

Phenol-formaldehyde PF Electrical and electronic equipment, automobile parts, utensil

handles, plywood adhesives, particle board, binder

Urea-formaldehyde UF Similar to PF polymer; also treatment of textiles, coatings

Unsaturated polyester UP Construction, automobile parts, boat, hulls, marine accessories,

corrosion-resistant ducting, pipe, tanks, etc., business equipment

Epoxy - Protective coatings, adhesives, electrical and electronics applications,

industrial flooring highway paving materials, composites

Melamine-formaldehyde MF Similar to UF polymers; decorative panels, counter and table tops,

dinnerware
Fibers

▪ Cellulosic: Acetate rayon, Viscose rayon

▪ Noncellulosic: Polyester, Nylon(Nylon6,6, Nylon6, etc), Olefin (PP), Copolymer(PVC 85%+PAN and others 15%;
vinyon))

▪ Acrylic: Contain at least 80% acrylonitrile (PAN 80% + PVC and others 20%)

Rubber (Elastomers)
▪ Natural rubber: cis-polyisoprene

▪ Synthetic rubber: Styrene-butadiene, Polybutadiene, Ethylene-propylene(EPDM), Polychloroprene,

Polyisoprene, Nitrile, Butyl, Silicone, Urethane

▪ Thermoplastic elastomer: Styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SB or SBS)

Coating and Adhesives
Coating: Lacquer, Vanishes, Paint (Oil or Latex), Latex

Adhesives: Solvent based, Hot melt, Pressure sensitive, etc.

Acrylate, Epoxy, Urethane, Cyanoacrylate

Polymer Recycling Plastics Recycling Code1

Durability of polymer property Number Letters Plastic

▪ Advantage : Good materials for use 1 PETE2 Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

▪ Disadvantage : Environmental problem 2 HDPE High-density polyethylene
3 V or PVC Poly(vinyl chloride)
Treatment of waste polymer : Incinerate, Landfill, Recycling 4 LDPE Low-density polyethylene
5 PP Polypropylene
Examples: Waste Tire : Paving materials 6 PS Polystyrene
Waste PET : To make monomer ( hydrolysis ) 7 OTHER Others or mixed plastics
To make polyol ( glycolysis ) 1Adopted by the Society of the Plastics lndustry (SPI).
2PET is the more widely accepted abbreviation.
Google
image
Molecular Weight of Polymers