Lecture 1

Introduction to Polymer Chemistry I,

Chemistry of Polymeric Materials I
CH 301, 5.00-7.30p
Eugenia Kharlampieva
ekharlam@uab.edu
RM. CHEM-272, Tel: 9340974

Syllabus
Course Objective:

To provide an understanding of basic chemical

principles of polymers with the focus on synthesis,
characterization, and applications of synthetic and
biological polymers.
Textbooks
Required:
Malcolm P. Stevens, Polymer Chemistry an Introduction,
3d ed. Oxford University Press, 1999.
Recommended:
M. Chanda, Introduction to Polymer Science and Chemistry: A
problem solving approach, 2006.
Robert J. Young, Introduction to Polymers, 3d Edition.
2

Part 1. Basic concepts in polymer sciences

Polymer classification and nomenclature
Linear, branched homopolymers and co-polymers,
dendrimers.
Molecular weight averages
Chain conformations
Polymeric materials

Part 2. Polymer synthesis and characterization

Polymerization mechanisms, catalysts, and initiators
Kinetics of polymerization reactions
Free radical polymerization
Emulsion polymerization
Interfacial Polymerization
Ionic polymerization
Copolymerization
Condensation or step-growth polymerization
Addition or chain-growth polymerization
Polymer characterization techniques: Infrared Spectroscopy, UVvis, Fluoresce,
Permeation Chromatography, X-Ray and neutron scattering.
Molecular weight determination
Characterization of polymer surfaces: AFM, SEM, ATR-FTIR

Part 3. Natural and biomimetic polymers

Biopolymers.
Polysaccharides and polyamines (peptides/proteins).
Polyelectrolytes.
Biomedical Applications.
Tissue Engineering. Polymeric scaffolds.
Polymer nanotechnology

Grading
CH 480
Quizzes
Homework
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Lab

Grade
s will
be
assign
ed as
follows
:

C
H
5
8
3
/
6
8
3
/
7
8
3

Quizzes
Homework
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Presentation

10%
20%
20%
20%
20%
10%

Score, %
90 100
80 89
70 79
60 69
0 - 59

Grade
A
B
C
D
F

Lab portion:
Fei Liu
<leofei@uab.e
du>
6

Class Sched
Sep 19

Quiz 1

Oct 3

Test 1

Oct 24

Quiz 2

Nov 7

Test 2

Nov 28

Homework du

Dec 5

Student prese

Dec 12

Final test

Part 1. Basic concepts in

polymer sciences
Polymers and polymer materials
Polymer classification
Nomenclature

Homework
Study lecture notes
Read Chapter 1

Polymers in our life

A polymer is a large molecule (macromolecule) composed of
repeating structural units connected by covalent chemical bonds

Greek poly meaning

many and mer
meaning part

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer

Polystyrene linear
chain

Properties and
applications

Excellent thermal
and oxidative stability
for high performance
aerospace
applications

Engineering plastics to
replace metals

High-strength fibers for oil

drilling platforms
Nonflammable polymers
Degradable polymers

Biocompati
ble polymers for
medical
applications
Conducting polymers

Insoluble
support
catalysts or for protein

for

and nucleic acid syntheses

10

Polymers

11

Emerging applications of
polymer chemistry
and
ubiquitous
role in
everyday
life.
https://culgi.com/
node/117

Interdisciplinary in nature

Vital in economic and technological growth

Industry, science, and medicine

Because of the extraordinary

range of properties of polymeric
materials, they play an essential

 Plastics
Agricultural
chemicals
Paints and
adhesives
Medicinal
chemistry
Pharmaceut
ical
industry
Biomedical
products12

History of synthetic polymers

Leo Baekeland, an American
Belgian-born
chemist,
developed
the
first
commercial
polymer
BAKELITE
(or
phenolformaldehyde resin) in
1910 and marked the
beginning of
the modern plastics industry.
By controlling the pressure
and temperature applied
to
phenol
and
formaldehyde, he could
produce his dreamed-of
hard moldable plastic:
Bakelite.
The chemical name of Bakelite
is
polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolan
hydride

1910 founded
General Bakelite
Company
1939 purchased by
Union Carbide
Corporation
http://en.wikipedia.org/

Bakelite buttons

13

History of Synthetic polymers

1920-1930 , there was a controversy over whether large synthetic
molecules could exit at all

Hermann Staudinger, a German chemist who

demonstrated the existence of macromolecules, which

he characterized as polymers.
1926, he did not receive a sympathetic hearing
when defended his idea that long synthetic
molecules exit.
1953, he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this work.

Wallace Carothers, an American chemist, an

inventor of nylon (synthetic polyamide fiber) and
neoprene synthetic rubber at DuPont, 1928 -1934
His outstanding achievement involved the
theory of linear polymerization; he tested it by
synthesizing polymers structurally resembling
cellulose and silk, culminating in the production
of nylon.

The first synthetic polymer fibre to be produced

commercially (1938), it laid the foundation of the
synthetic fibre industry.
14

Carothers definition of
polymer
Substance
(a) whose molecular weight is larger
than 5KDa and
(b) whose
structure
may
be
represented by -R-R-Rwhere -R- are
bivalent residues.
(c) -R- is not capable of independent
existence.

15

Polymer track: Motivation and concept

Polymer chemistry is a fascinating subject and plays a

key role in economic and technological growth of the
society including industry, science, and medicine.1

Being interdisciplinary in nature, it is vital in fields

that develop products such as plastics; agricultural

chemicals; paints and adhesives; medicinal and
pharmaceutical chemistry; and biomedical products.

Students with polymer degrees are in high demand by

industry.2 According to the ACS report, polymer chemistry is

from second to fourth in the ranks of commonly practiced

chemistry specialties.3
16

Polymer track: Motivation and concept

It is estimated that about 50%

4,5of all chemists work
in an area of polymer chemistry.

Although polymer chemistry is a fast growing field

and provides tremendous job opportunities, only a few
colleges and universities have programs in polymer
science.

As of 2012, three universities in the U.S. offered

undergraduate study in polymer
chemistry, and only eight
6
offered it at the graduate level.

Due to the deficit of polymer education in US, a

student's best access to experience in the polymer field
has been through internships in industry or through summer
7
employment at an institution that has a polymers program.

17

Polymer track: Motivation and

concept
1.Polymers: Cornerstones of Construction; Charles E. Carraher Jr.,
John P. Droske, J. Chem. Educ., 2006, 83 (10), p 1428
2.Symposium of the Polymer Division of the American Chemical
Society, held during the 1997 Fall ACS Meeting at Las Vegas. CPT
Newsletter Fall 1998
3.ACS Report 2001,
http://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/careers/salaries/survey
s/industrial-chemists-2000.pdf
4.Bigger , Norman C. Billingham; Steven C. Hodgson and Stephen
W. J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (4), p 555. Studying Synthetic
Polymers in the Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum. A Review
of the Educational Literature.
5.http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/whatchemistsdo/care
ers/polymer-chemistry.html.
6.Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2012-2013
Fall Collection.
February 2013. National Center for Education Statistics. U.S.
Department
of
Education.
(http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/)

7.Hodgson, S. C.; Bigger, S. W.; Billingham, N. C. Studying

synthetic polymers in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum.
J. Chem. Educ. 2001, 78, 555-556.

18

What is the Job Description for a Polymer

Chemist?
Basic Functions
Polymer chemists can create new
materials, but they also make existing
materials, products and processes
better.
You may work with very familiar
materials, like wood and paper, to
which you apply polymer adhesives
and coatings.

Chemical Reaction Jobs

Chemists manipulate polymers to cause chemical
reactions that may be beneficial to industry and society
at large, such as cleaner manufacturing.
For example, as a research polymer chemist, you may
produce a manufacturing by-product that is safe for the
environment. Industries using these technologies include
pharmaceutical companies, chemical manufacturers, and
energy industries.

http://work.chron.com/job-description-polymer-chemist-16922.html

19

What is the Job Description for a Polymer

Chemist?
Manufacturing Jobs
Manufacturers looking for improved
materials -- perhaps more lightweight
without losing strength -- hire polymer
chemists to develop, test and design
materials.
The materials must also be able to
withstand the manufacturing process
for a particular industry.
Industries
that
benefit
from
these
advanced
materials
include
the
automotive, aerospace, defense and wind
energy.
Becoming a Polymer Chemist
Plan on getting at least a masters degree in chemistry,
organic chemistry or polymer chemistry if a university has
that specialization; a Ph.D. will open up even more
opportunities for you.

http://work.chron.com/job-description-polymer-chemist-16922.html

20

Polymer properties and

applications

Excellent thermal and oxidative stability for use in

high performance aerospace applications

Engineering plastics to replace metals

High-strength fibers for oil drilling platforms

Nonflammable polymers

Degradable polymers

Biocompatible polymers for medical applications

Conducting polymers

Insoluble support for catalysts or for protein and nucleic

acid syntheses

21

Polymer Chemistry & Materials

Research

Motivated by the desire to create novel materials that exhibit currently

unavailable properties and enable new applications,
Focuses on the design, synthesis, and investigation of structureproperty relationships of novel functional polymers.

22

http://am-institute.ch/research/polymer-chemistry-materials

Polymeric
materials

23

Polymer
classification
Fibe
rs
Plas
tics
Rub
ber

Adhesiv
es
Coating
s

Modulus
(stiffness)

24

Thermoplastics
These are polymers that:
soften and harden reversibly on changing the temperature
(linear, branched)
can be melt processed by a variety of methods, including
extrusion and molding
Are rigid at low temperature due to secondary forces bw the
polymer chains. The forces are destroyed at high temperature
causing fluidity.
Applications:
Film for packaging
Photographic and magnetic tape
Beverage and trash containers
Upholstery
Automotive parts

Thermoplastics

polyolefins

styrenic
s

PVC

25

Thermoplastics:
Polyolefins
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Polyethylene (LDPE & HDPE)
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is produced by
free-radical bulk polymerization using traces of
oxygen or peroxide as the initiator. Mw: 6K 40K,
highly branched.
Applications: thin film for packaging, wire and
cable insulation, coatings, injection-molded
products
High-density polyethylene (HDPE). Living
polymerizations in the
presence of catalysts Ziegler-Natta,
metallocene. Applications: crates, pails,
drums, gas tanks, blown films.
Polypropylene lightweight,
moderately high Tm (165-171C), high
strength, high modulus.
Applications: manufacture of pipe, sheet, blowmolded containers.

26

Thermoplastics: Polystyrene
Its produced by free-radical polymerization in bulk or suspension.
Application: manufacture of foam and bead for insulation and
packaging materials.

Stereospecific PS syndiotactic,
mettallocene polymerization, electric &
electronic applications
http://en
.wikipedi
a.org/wi
ki/Polyst
yrene

27

Thermoplastics: Poly(vinyl chloride)

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) the largest
volume commodity thermoplastics
Its produced by free-radical
polymerization in bulk or suspension.
Rigid PVC: sheet, pipe, window profiles

Flexible PVC (plastisized): wire

coatings, floor covering, tubing .

28

Thermosets (polymer
networks)
The feature that distinguishes thermosets
from thermoplastic materials is the
formation of a network
structure (permanent crosslinking) upon
fabrication.

Epoxies
Polyesters
Formaldehyde-based resins

Curing (crosslinking):

conversion of un-crosslinked
thermosetting resin into a crosslinked
network
29

Epoxies (polyepoxides)
Applications: Adhesives and Composites
coatings

Thermal conductivity of MWCNT/epoxy composites:

The effects of length, alignment and
functionalization

Carbon, 2012, 50, 2083

30

Bisphenol resinbased epoxy

Epoxy is formed from
two different
chemicals: "resin" or
"compound" and the
"hardener" or
"activator".
The resin consists
of monomers or
short chain
polymers with an
epoxide group at
either end.
The hardener consists
of polyamine
monomers, for
example
triethylenetetramine.
Upon mixing, the
amine groups react
with the epoxide
groups to form a
covalent bond.

 Each NH group can

react with an epoxide
group from distinct
prepolymer
molecules, so that the
resulting polymer is
heavily crosslinked,
and is thus rigid and
strong

P
o
l
y
e
s
t
e
r
s

A
p
p
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
s
:
F
i
b
e
r
s
,
p
l
a
s
t
i
c
s

, and films;
in
composites
and
elastomers;
and as
coatings.
They are
truly
versatile
materials.

Th
e
cla
ssi
c
rea
cti
on
for
pro
du
cin

g plastics
fibers

and

Close-up of a polyester
shirt. Polyester was a

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Po
lyester
http://www.chemistryexplained.co
m/Pl-Pr/Polyesters.html
http://www.pslc.ws/macrog/pet.htm

popular
fabric used
in clothing in
the 1970s.

Polyesters: Alkyd

Glyptal resin

Modified by the addition of fatty

acids and other components.
The inclusion of the fatty acid confers a
tendency to form flexible coating
Alkyds are used in paints and in
moulds for casting

paintsrawmaterial.
com

Polyesters: Vinyl ester

http://www.sceadu.com/products_sd1_history.html

33

Formaldehyde-based resins
(phenoplasts)
It is prepared by either a base-catalyzed addition of
formaldehyde to phenol (resole formation) or by an acidcatalyzed reaction (novolac formation).
OH

Resole

OH

CH2OH

HOH2C

CH2OH
CH2OH
CH OH
2

CH

HOH2C
OH

Applications:
lacquers, varnishes,
molding
compounds, and
laminates.

34

ttp://www.ecobind.com/ff_formaldehydefacts.asp

buildinggreen.com

Elastomers
These are polymers with the property of viscoelasticity
(colloquially "elasticity"), generally having notably low Youngs
modulus (resistance of a body to deformation) and high yield strain
(stress at which a material begins to deform plastically -nonreversible changes of shape in response to applied force)
compared with other materials.
Polybutadiene, polychloroprene, natural rubber
Vulcanization, crosslinking
PDMS
Polyurethanes
Thermoplastic elastomer:
Domains of highly glassy
polymer (PS) are interconnected
by the elastomer.

http://pslc.ws/macrog/elas.htm

35

Elastomers and Fibers: Stress vs strain

behavior
Fibers: High modulus,
Sustain grater stress than
plastics

Brittle Plastics: High

modulus

Stress: Force
applied to the
sample

Strain: Increase in
length / original
length

Tough Plastics: High

modulus

Elastomers: Low initial modulus

but stiffen
on stretching . Sustain greater
stress

36

Commodity Plastics (high volume @ low

cost)

2
3
4

Disposable items, durable goods

37

Engineering Plastics (high cost @ low

volume)

High mechanical properties, greater durability

Transportation, construction, electrical and

electronic goods, industrial machinery, and
consumer goods
38

Polymer
Recycling

marinsawa.wordpress.com 39

Specialty Polymers
Polyimides
Ionomers
Polyaryletherketons
Polyorganophosphazenes
Conductive polymers
High-Performance Fibers
Dendritic polymers
40

Specialty polymers
high-temperature, solventresistant polymers
Polyimides

O
O
*
N
O

Applications: electronics, sleeve bearings,

valve seating, aerospace applications.

N
O

Polypyrrome
llitimide
@
(Kapton )

high chemical
resistance, high-temperature stability
High-Performance Fibers

Polybenzobisoxalone
(PBO)

*
n

Applications: gas filtration, as a substitute for asbestos,

bullet-resistant vests and other protective closing.
41

Specialty polymers
Ionomers- charged water-soluble
polymers
Polyacrylic acid

CH 2

CH

CO
Na

Applications: ion-exchange resins, membranes for

liquid and gas separations.

Conductive
polymers

transpolyacetylene
H

H
n

Polyaniline,
polypyrrole

Applications: electrodes for lightweight batteries,

variable-transmission window, electrochromic
displays, sensors, nonlinear optical materials.
42

Dendritic polymers
A dendrimer consists of molecular chains that branched out
from a common center, and there is no entanglement between
each dendrimer molecules.

http://userpage.chemie.fu-berlin.de/~akhaag/architectures01.html

Applications: adhesives and coatings, chemical sensors, medical

diagnostics,
drug-delivery systems, high-performance polymers, catalysts,

building blocks of
supermolecules, separation agents and many more.

43

Polymer biomaterials for

medicine
A biomaterial is any material that comprises whole or part of a living

structure or biomedical device which performs, augments, or

replaces a natural function

Biocompatibility

Durability
Morphological flexibility
Easy processability
Biodegradability (optional)
High strength
(optional)

or

modulus

Selective
(optional)

permeability

o Artificial organs and tissue

o Heart valves, blood vessel
prostheses, skin repair o
Orthopedic implants
o
Prosthe
tic
device
s o
Dental
implan
ts o
Breast
implan
ts
o Controlled
release of
drugs o

Conta
ct
lenses

44

From the nano to macro

scales

45

Polymer nanomaterials of
therapeutic value
Stimuli-response

P
ol
y
m
er
c
h
e
m
is
tr
y

Intelligen
t
multi
funct
ional
nano
mate
rials

Bottom-up design
NanoBiomedical
technology

sciences

Building blocks for nanomaterials

fabrication

Synthetic polymers
Biopolymers

Proteins

Main definitions
Degree of polymerization
Backbone (main polymer chain)
Side groups
End groups
Homochain polymers
Heterochain polymers
Chain configuration and conformation
(isomerizm)

47

Polymer Structure
Rod-like

Flexible

Random-coil

48
http://sans.web.psi.ch/SANSSoft/versions/doc/html/group__ff__gauss3.html

Polymer composition and structure is

controlled through polymer
synthesis
Polymer synthesis is the process of combining
many small molecules known as monomers into a
covalently bonded chain.

The distinct piece of each monomer that is

incorporated into the polymer is known as a repeat
unit or monomer residue.
CH CH
2

2n

n is the accent of repetition called

polymerization degree

49

Degree of polymerization
Degree of polymerization (DP) is the total number of structural
units, including end groups. DP is related to chain length and
molecular weight.
Example: Polymerization of vinyl acetate

n is the accent of repetition

Polymer molecular weight is DP x molecular weight of the

structural unit (M0)
E.g., for a DP of 1000,
Molecular weight = 1000 x 86 =86,000
Normally, it is an average degree of polymerization, because polymer
chains within a given polymer are of varying sizes (except some certain
natural polymers, e.g., proteins)

50

Back bone and Side groups

Polystyrene

Poly(1pentene)

pKa ~ 8
pKa ~ 3

Poly(acrylic acid) pKa ~ 4

Protonated
Poly(4vinylpyridine)

51

End groups
End groups are structural units that terminate
polymer chain
The end groups are shown outside the brackets
CH CH
3

CH CH
2

2n

CH

CH
2

Polymers with reactive end groups are

called telechelec polymers
Reactive end groups are capable of
undergoing further reactions
Reactive oligomers

52

End Groups
Very often the end groups are not shown in the
structure of polymers.
The exact nature of the end group of polymer
molecules is often not known.
End groups constitute an insignificant fraction of the
polymer mass and may not have a significant effect
on polymer properties.
Example: Polymerization of vinyl acetate

Two monomer
units are at the
chain ends

53

Homochain and Heterochain

polymers
Homochain polymers consist of a single-atom
type backbone

Heterochain polymers contain more than

one atom type in the backbone (nonvinyl
polymers)

54

Chain configuration
Organization of the atoms along the chain
Rearrangements of atoms along primary
chemical bond only

C1

C3

C
55

Polymer classification
Synthetic, organic polymers (carbonbased)
Synthetic, inorganic polymers
(siloxane-based)
Natural polymers
(biomacromolecules)
Synthetic biopolymers
Homopolymers, copolymers
Linear, branched polymers, networks

56

Homopolymer vs
Copolymer

57

Homopolymer vs
Copolymer

58

Block
copolymers

59

Chain (molecular)
architecture
Linear
Branched
Cross-linked, or network polymers

60

Classification of polymers based on structural shape of polymer molecules

Linear polymers that have repeating units linked together in a
continuous length. Each unit is linked only to two others.

Polystyrene linear chain

Branched polymers with branches protruding from the main polymer
chain. Repeating units are not linked solely in a linear way.
They form when:
1. at least one of the monomers has
functionality > 2
2. Polymerization creates branching points

Chain architecture
Depending on the structure of the monomer and on the
polymerization method employed, polymer chains may
show different architectures.

A linear polymer chain is observed if the segments are

connected through the Carbon atoms.

High
density
polyethyl
ene

http://gelfand.web.cmu.edu/scimodules/2._Polymer_architecture.html
62

Chain architecture
If a polymer chain have segments branching off of the
main carbon backbone, this structure is called a
branched polymer chain

Low
density
polyethyl
ene

with ethylene
segments
dangling from the
polyethylene
chain.

63

Example: When polymerization creates branching points

Free radical polymerization of polyethylene (PE) at high temperatures
(100-300C and pressures (1,000-3,000 atm) branched PE

Butyl
branch

Ethyl
branch

Chain architecture
Branched polymer molecules cannot
pack together as closely as linear
molecules can; so the forces holding
these polymers together tend to be much
weaker.
This is the reason why the highly
branched low density polyethylene is
very flexible and is used as packaging
film (e.g. Saran Wrap) and plastic
grocery bags; while the linear high
density

polyethylene is tough enough to be

shaped into objects such as bottles or
toys.
65

Example: When polymer has functionality > 2

styrene
divinylbenzene

Cross-linked, or network polymers interconnected branched

polymers that have a three-dimensional network structure.

A network polymer (cross-linked):

Polymer chains are linked forming one
giant molecule. The network cannot
be dissolved in solvents.

A branched polymer:
Polymer molecules are discrete and can
generally be dissolved in a solvent. The
size of the molecule can be measured.

Linear or branched polymers can be chemically linked to yield

network polymers through the process called cross-linking.
If the average functionality of a mixture of monomers is greater than
2, copolymerization to a high conversion yields network structures.
Cross-linking of natural rubber (linear poly(isoprene)) with sulfur is
vulcanization.
The number of
sulfur atoms
can vary

Phenol-formaldehyde
When the branches on a polymer chain further react/connect
with neighboring chains, the result is a network structure
(ladder-like).
This material is formed when molecules of phenol (C 6H5OH) are
linked by formaldehyde (CH2O) to form a complex network of
interconnected branches.

69

A ladder polymer consists of two parallel strands with regular cross-links

in between (two-strand structure)

The formation of a ladder

polymer from polyacrylonitrile:

A semi-ladder polymer structure has single bonds interconnecting some of

the rings.

Polymer structure
n

Example:

Chain architecture: Effect of material

strength
The connections between polymer chains that form the network
structures can vary in strength.
Strong connections result from actual chemical bonds (covalent and/or
ionic). These are cross-linked polymers such as vulcanized synthetic
rubber, used in automobile tires.

Chemical structure of cis-polyisoprene, the main

constituent of natural rubber.

Synthetic cis-polyisoprene and natural cispolyisoprene are derived from different precursors by
different chemical pathways
72

Chain architecture: Effect of material

strength
Weaker connections result from Hydrogen bonds and Van Der
Waals interactions.
An example of a network polymer formed by weak connections is the gel
formed by pectin. This natural network polymer is the basis for jellies
and jams.

Pectin is a structural
heteropolysaccharide contained
in the primary cell walls of
terrestrial plants

73

Network density: Effect of material

strength
The properties of network polymers
depend on the density of the network.
Polymers having a dense network
are very rigid and sometimes even
brittle.

Network polymers containing long,

flexible branches connected at only a
few sites along the chains are rubbery
and exhibit elastic properties.

74

Chain architecture
Polycatenane

Dendritic

Supramolec
ular

75

Hyperbranched Polymers and Dendrimers

A dendrimer consists of molecular chains that branched out
from a common center, and there is no entanglement between
each dendrimer molecules.

Space-filling model of a tridendron

constructed
from a series of monomers that increase in
size with
each generation. The dendrimer spans over
125
Angstroms.

adhesives and coatings

chemical sensors
medical diagnostics
drug-delivery systems
high-performance polymers catalysts

(See Moore, J.S. Acc. Chem. Res., 1997, 30, 402-413.)

building blocks of supermolecules

separation agents and many more76

Synthetic vs natural
macromolecules
Synthetic
polymers

Linear Polymer

Dendri
mer

Biopolymers

Polyelectrol
ytes
charged
macromolec
ules

DNA
77

Protei
ns

Protein Structure
determines by amino acid
sequences

78

7
9

Natural vs synthetic
polymers
Nat
ural
Biological
polymers are
mono
polydisperse
Represent
truly
identical
macromolec
ules
Sequence and steric
orientations of are
strictly determined

regular secondary
structures
Chemical
composition
is
very
diverse:
sequence
of
various
amino
acids

Synthetic
Synthetic
polymers
are
polydispe
rse
Represent a mixture
of similar, yet
different
macromolecules

Chemical
composition is
limited:
AAAAA, ABABABAB
It is hard
to produce
stereoregu
lar
polymers

However, we can
create materials
which nature cannot !

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