POLYMERS

1. Explain the relationship between bonding, structure, properties and uses of the following
polymers:

• Low Density Polyethylene

Monomer: ethylene
PROPERTIES AND USES:
➢ Lightweight
➢ Flexible
➢ Thermoplastic (melts upon heating and can be molded)
➢ Semi-crystalline structure
Used for: plastic packaging (e.g. Bin bags, takeout containers etc.)
STRUCTURE AND BONDING:
Long chain of ethylene monomers joined to form a branched, semicrystalline polymer.
Branching prevents adjacent polymer molecules from forming strong intermolecular bonds
This results in lightweight property
Prevents adjacent polymer molecules from being close together, resulting in low density
Lack of strong intermolecular forces thus gives it its flexible property
DENSITY: 0.93g/cm^2
MELTING POINT: 110C
Produced by ADDITION

Fig. 1:
A branching polymer

Fig. 2:
Intermolecular forces between two branching polymer molecules
Crystallinity: The orderly arrangement of monomers within a polymer

Low crystallinity gives LDPE its flexibility and impact resistance, making it useful for plastic bags and
packaging.

• High Density Polyethylene

Monomer: Ethylene
PROPERTIES AND USES
➢ Lightweight
➢ Relatively ridged
➢ High density
➢ Thermoplastic
Used for containers and storage bottles (e.g., Milk bottled, shampoo bottles etc)
STRUCTURE AND BONDING
Long chain of repeating monomer units to form short-branched, crystalline polymer
Low degree of branching results in higher density as adjacent polymer molecules can pack close
together and therefore the intermolecular forces between them will be stronger
Results in higher density and more rigid properties
Low degree of branching also allows for a greater surface area for the formation of intermolecular
bonds, making it more rigid, harder to melt and denser.
DENSITY: 0.97g/cm^2
MELTING POINT: 130C
Due to higher melting point, can be sterilised and therefore used in food packaging such as milk
bottles
Produced by ADDITION
Fig. 3: non branching polymer

Fig. 4: intermolecular forces between adjacent non-branching polymers

HDPE is highly crystalline and therefore more opaque and less flexible than LDPE

• Nylon-6,6
Monomers: adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine
PROPERTIES AND USES:
➢ High tensile strength
➢ Tough, hard and stiff
➢ Silky smooth
 ➢ High melting point
Used in cable ties, adjustable cable clamps as well as toothbrush bristles and nylon ropes
STRUCTURE AND BONDING:
Amide linkages form hydrogen bonds with one another, giving it high tensile strength
Polarity of amide groups and their ability to hydrogen bond to one another make the molecule
crystalline
Produced by CONDENSATION

• Polylactic Acid
Monomers: Lactic Acid and lactide
PROPERTIES AND USES:
• Biodegradable (derived from renewable substances such as corn starch->BIOPLASTIC)
• Thermoplastic
• High melting point (110C)
• High surface energy
• High density
• Degrades by hydrolysis into lactic acid (useful in medical field)
Used in 3d printing as well as medical implants
Properties depend on molecular weight, component isomers, processing temperature and annealing
time --> affect crystallinity and therefore properties.
More crystalline=higher MW, processing temperature and annealing time. Also, more rigid and
dense.
Less crystalline=lower MW, processing temp and annealing time. More flexible and less dense.
Produced by CONDENSATION
STRUCTURE AND BONDING:
Aliphatic polyester due to ester bonds that join monomer units
Semicrystalline polymer with amorphous regions, gives it a relatively
high melting point, density, and surface energy
2. Discuss the positive impacts of the researched polymers on our lives and the
environment.

LDPE: thermoplastic therefore can be melted down and recycled

Lightweight and high flexibility allows it to deliver more products without as much waste
HDPE: Most environmentally stable plastic; gives off no harmful fumes into environment
Significantly smaller amount of energy required to produce HDPE than steel
Both HDPE and LDPE are versatile, low-cost materials, allowing the production of various
things

Nylon: versatile and low-cost allows production of a variety of materials. Eg can be used for
personal (clothing) as well as industrial (reinforcement in other materials) reasons.
Cheaper and more durable than other materials such as wool and silk
High-strength fibre, useful for fishing nets and ropes

PLA: Derived from renewable resources such as corn starch

80% less carbon gas emissions than production of traditional plastics
Can be industrially composted or anaerobically digested
Breaks down within 12 weeks
Doesn’t produce toxic fumes if incinerated
Used in tissue engineering, cardiovascular implants, drug carriers, cancer therapy etc..
Revolutionised medical industry

3. Suggest how we can reduce the negative impacts of the researched polymers on our
health and the environment

LDPE and HDPE: Recycling is more cost-effective and takes less resources than making PE
from scratch
Preventing the spread of plastic items such as plastic straws and cutlery by swapping it out
with biodegradable alternatives
Replacing single use plastic bags with canvas/fabric ones or reusing plastic ones

NYLON: Production of nylon is energy intensive, and CO2 output is rather large
Washing of fabric leads to microplastic build up in water systems
Recycling nylon by dropping nylon items off at recycling centres that accept the material

PLA: Compostable, however only under specific conditions, therefore, will still sit in landfill
for 100-1000 years. To reduce the impact of this, plastic bags can be reused, or a cloth
alternative can be used.
Large amounts of crops are required to mass produce PLA; enforces food crisis and food
scarcity. Switch to plastics that use alternative, but still renewable resources. Genetic
engineering can also be used to modify crops to produce a higher yield, thus increasing the
available resources to produce the polymer.