Polymer Science

Physical Pharmacy

Duaa Amer Abed

U.O.A C.O.PHARMACY

Second Stage

2019-2020
Introduction

The word “polymer” means “many parts.” A polymer is a large molecule made up of many
small repeating units. In the early days of polymer synthesis, little was known about the
chemical structures of polymers. Herman Staudinger, who received the Nobel Prize in
Chemistry in 1953, coined the term “macromolecule” in 1922 and used it in reference to
polymers. The difference between the two is that polymers are made of repeating units, whereas
the term macromolecule refers to any large molecule, not necessarily just those made of
repeating units. So, polymers are considered to be a subset of macromolecules.

A monomer is a small molecule that combines with other molecules of the same or different
types to form a polymer. Since drawing a complete structure of a polymer is almost impossible,
the structure of a polymer is displayed by showing the repeating unit (the monomer residue) and
an “n” number that shows how many monomers are participating in the reaction. From the
structural prospective, monomers are generally classified as olefinic (containing double bond)
and functional (containing reactive functional groups) for which different polymerization
methods are utilized. If two, three, four, or five monomers are attached to each other, the
product is known as a dimer, trimer, tetramer, or pentamer, respectively. An oligomer contains
from 30 to 100 monomeric units. Products containing more than 200 monomers are simply
called a polymer. From a thermodynamic perspective, polymers cannot exist in the gaseous
state because of their high molecular weight. They exist only as liquids or high solid materials.

Since polymers originate from oil, they are generally cheap materials. Unlike other materials
such as metals or ceramics, polymers are large molecular weight materials and their molecular
weight can be adjusted for a given application. For example, silicone polymers are supplied as
vacuum grease (low molecular weight) and as durable implants (very high molecular weight).
By changing the molecular weight, the physical and mechanical properties of the polymer can
be tailor-made. This can be achieved by changing the structure of the monomer building blocks
or by blending them with other polymers. Blending is a process intended to achieve superior
properties that are unattainable from a single polymer. For example, polystyrene is not resistant
against impact, so a polystyrene cup can be easily smashed into pieces if compressed between
your fingers. However, polystyrene blended with polybutadiene is an impact resistant product.
Alternatively, monomers of styrene and butadiene can be copolymerized to make a new
copolymer of styrene–butadiene.

Classification of polymer

Polymers cannot be classified under one category because of their complex structures, different
behaviours, and vast applications. We can, therefore, classify polymers based on the following
considerations.

Classification of Polymers based on the Source of Availability

There are three types of classification under this category, namely, Natural, Synthetic, and
Semi-synthetic Polymers.

Natural Polymers: They occur naturally and are found in plants and animals. For example
proteins, starch, cellulose, and rubber. To add up, we also have biodegradable polymers which
are called biopolymers.

Semi-synthetic Polymers: They are derived from naturally occurring polymers and undergo
further chemical modification. For example, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate.

Synthetic Polymers: These are man-made polymers. Plastic is the most common and widely
used synthetic polymer. It is used in industries and various dairy products. For example, nylon-
6, 6, polyether’s etc.

Classification of Polymers based on the Structure of the Monomer Chain

Linear Polymers

The structure of polymers containing long and straight chains fall into this category. PVC, i.e.
poly-vinyl chloride is largely used for making pipes and electric cables is an example of a linear
polymer.
Branched-chain Polymers :When linear chains of a polymer form branches, then, such
polymers are categorized as branched chain polymers. For example, Low-density polythene.

Cross-linked Polymers :They are composed of bifunctional and trifunctional monomers. They
have a stronger covalent bond in comparison to other linear polymers. Bakelite and melamine
are examples in this category.

Other Ways to Classify Polymers

Classification Based on Polymerization

 Addition Polymerization: Example, poly ethane, Teflon, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

 Condensation Polymerization: Example, Nylon -6, 6, perylene, polyesters.

Classification Based on Monomers

 Homomer: In this type, a single type of monomer unit is present. For example, Polyethene
 Heteropolymer or co-polymer: It consists of different type of monomer units. For
example, nylon -6, 6

Classification Based on Molecular Forces

 Elastomers: These are rubber-like solids weak interaction forces are present. For example,
Rubber.
 Fibres: Strong, tough, high tensile strength and strong forces of interaction are present.
For example, nylon -6, 6.
 Thermoplastics: These have intermediate forces of attraction. For example, polyvinyl
chloride.
 Thermosetting polymers: These polymers greatly improve the material’s mechanical
properties. It provides enhanced chemical and heat resistance. For example, phenolics,
epoxies, and silicones.
Polymer used in pharmaceutical applications

In Solid Dosage Forms,

1. Tablets 2. Capsules 3. Film Coatings of Solid Dosage Forms 4. Disperse Systems

5. Gels 6. Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems (Patches)

-In tablet the polymer are used as a Binder and Disintegrants. Binders which bind the powder
particle in a damp mass various polymer are used are Ethyl cellulose, HPMC, Starch, Gelatin,
polyvenylpyrrolidine. Alginic acid, Glucose, Sucrose. Disintegrates like Starch, cellulose,
Alginates, polyvenylpyrrolidine, sodium CMC which decrease the time of dissolution and gives
fast action of drug.

-The various polymer are used in the capsule as the plasticizer on which the flexibility and
strength of the Gelatin are depend on it .The release rate of the Capsule are controlled by using
the various type of polymer.

In a traditional pharmaceutics area, such as tablet manufacturing, polymers are used as tablet
binders to bind the excipients of the tablet. Modern or advanced pharmaceutical dosage forms
utilize polymers for drug protection, taste masking, controlled release of a given drug, targeted
delivery, increase drug bioavailability, and so on .

Apart from solid dosage forms, polymers have found application in liquid dosage forms as
rheology modifiers. They are used to control the viscosity of an aqueous solution or to stabilize
suspensions or even for the granulation step in preparation of solid dosage forms. Major
application of polymers in current pharmaceutical field is for controlled drug release, which will
be discussed in detail in the following sections. In the biomedical area, polymers are generally
used as implants and are expected to perform long-term service. This requires that the polymers
have unique properties that are not offered by polymers intended for general applications.
References

 Martin, A., Sinko, P. and Singh, Y., 2011. Martin's Physical Pharmacy And Pharmaceutical
Sciences. 6th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

 Attwood, D. and Florence, A., 2013. Physical Pharmacy. London: Pharmaceutical Press.

 Painter, Paul C.; Coleman, Michael M. (1997). Fundamentals of polymer science: an

introductory text. Lancaster, Pa.: Technomic Pub. Co.

 Jagdeep, D., 2020. REVIEW ON APPLICATIONS OF POLYMERS IN

PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS | Pharmatutor. [online] Pharmatutor.org.