Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

7.3. 3. Extrinsically Conducting Polymers

8. Summary
9. FAQs

Polymers
The term polymer refers to a large molecule made
up of many small constituent units of an identical
structure known as monomers. It can occur naturally
or be created artificially in a lab. The number of
monomer units constituting a polymer may vary in
different substances. Polymers with a very large
number of monomer units are called high polymers.

Classification of Polymers
Polymers can be classed in various ways due to
their large number, diverse behaviour, and ability to
be found naturally or synthetically. However, the
following are some basic ways in which polymers
are classified:

CLASSIFICATIONOFPOLYMERS

BasedonMolecular BasedonThermal
asedonOccuranci BasedonStructure
forces Behaviour

Natural
Polymers LinearPolymer Elastomer Thermoplastic

Synthetic Thermosetting
Branchedchain Fibre
Polymers Plastic
polymer

Semi-synthetic
Crosslinked Thermoplastic
polymers
Polymer

Thermosetting
plastic

[Link] Page 3 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

plastic

LEARN EXAM CONCEPTS ON EMBIBE

Classification of Polymers
Based on Occurrence
Based on source or occurrence, the polymers are
classified into two types;

1. Natural Polymers
Polymers that are obtained from animals and plants
are known as natural polymers. A few examples of
natural polymers are:

a) Polysaccharides: Cellulose and starch are very

common examples of polysaccharides. They are the
polymers of glucose. The monomer of
polysaccharides is a monosaccharide.
b) Proteins: These are the polymers of α-amino
acids. They are building blocks of animal cells. They
constitute an indispensable part of our food. Wool,
natural silk, etc., are proteins.
c) Nucleic acids: These are the polymers of various
nucleotides. RNA and DNA are common examples.
d) Natural rubber: The substance obtained from

[Link] Page 4 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

latex is a polymer of isoprene.

2. Synthetic Polymers
The polymer prepared in the laboratory is referred to
as synthetic polymers or man-made polymers.
Examples are; PVC, polyethylene, polystyrene,
synthetic rubber, nylon- 6 , nylon- 66. Etc

3. Semi-Synthetic Polymers
These polymers are mostly derived from naturally
occurring polymers by carrying out a chemical
modification. For example, Cellulose diacetate is
prepared by reacting cellulose and acetic anhydride
in the presence of sulphuric acid.

H 2SO 4
Cellulose + (CH3 CO)2 → Cellulosediacetate

[Link] Page 5 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

Classification of Polymers
Based on Structure
This classification is based on how the monomeric
units are linked together. Based on their structure,
the polymers are classified as;

1. Linear Polymer
Linear polymers are polymers in which monomeric
units are linked together to form long straight
chains. The chains are very well ordered in relation
to one another, and The structure is densely
packed. As a result, linear polymers have high
densities, melting points, and tensile strengths.
Polyethylene, nylon, and polyester are a few
examples.

[Link] Page 6 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS

2. Branch Chain Polymers

Branch chain polymers have a branched-chain of
monomeric units. These polymers do not pack well
due to the presence of branches. As a result, when
compared to a linear polymer, branched-chain
polymers have lower melting points, densities, and
tensile strength. Both addition and condensation
can form branch chain polymers. Examples are
amylopectin, glycogen, low-density polyethene and
all vulcanised rubbers.

[Link] Page 7 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

3. Cross-Linked Polymers
In these polymers, the initially formed linear
polymeric chains are joined together to form a
three-dimensional network structure. These
polymers are hard, rigid, and brittle. Cross-linked
polymers are always condensation polymers. Resins
are an example of cross-linked polymers.

[Link] Page 8 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

Classification of Polymers
Based on Molecular Forces
The mechanical properties of polymers, such as
tensile strength, toughness, elasticity, and so on,
are determined by intermolecular forces in the
macromolecules, such as Van der Waal forces and
hydrogen bonds. Polymers are classified into four
types based on the magnitude of their
intermolecular forces.

[Link] Page 9 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

1. Elastomers
An elastomer is a plastic that stretches and then
reverts to its original shape. It is an amorphous
polymer that is randomly oriented. The structure of
elastomers has cross-linking to prevent the chains
from slipping over one another. The polymeric
chains have very weak Van der Waal forces. For
example, vulcanised rubber.

2. Fibres
Fibres are linear polymers with hydrogen bonds or
dipole-dipole attraction holding the individual chains
of polymer together. The polymeric chains in the
fibres are highly ordered with respect to one
another. Fibres have the highest tensile strength and
negligible elasticity due to strong intermolecular

[Link] Page 10 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

forces of attraction and highly ordered geometry.

They are crystalline in character and have a high
melting point and low solubility. Cellulose, nylon,
wool, silk, etc., are some examples of fibres.

3. Thermoplastic Polymers
Thermoplastic polymers have both ordered
crystalline regions and amorphous, non-crystalline
regions. They are hard at room temperature, but
when heated, the individual chains can slip -past
one another, and the polymer becomes soft and
viscous. This soft and viscous material becomes
rigid on cooling.

The heating, softening, and cooling process can be

repeated as many times as desired without any
change in the plastic’s chemical composition and
mechanical properties. As a result, these plastics
can be moulded into toys, buckets, telephone and
television cases. Some common examples are;
Polyethyene polypropylene, Teflon, and polyvinyl
chloride.

[Link] Page 11 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

4. Thermosetting Polymers
Polymers that become hard on heating are called
thermosetting polymers. Once heated, the
thermosetting polymers turn into a solid, which
cannot be remelted by heating. Thermosetting
polymers are cross-linked polymers. The greater the
degree of cross-linking that exists, the more rigid
the polymer.

Cross-linking reduces the mobility of the polymer

chains, causing them to be relatively brittle. The
hardening on heating is due to the extensive cross-
linking between different polymer chains to give a
three-dimensional network solid. Examples of
thermosetting polymers are phenol-formaldehyde
resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, alkyd resin,
melamine-formaldehyde resin.

[Link] Page 12 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

Classification of Polymers
Based on Thermal Behaviour
Based on the thermal behaviour, polymers are
classified into two groups:

[Link] Page 13 of 24
Classification of Polymers 05/03/22, 1:50 PM

1. Thermoplastic Polymers: The polymer that

softens on heating and can be converted into any
shape on cooling is called thermoplastics. The
process of heating, reshaping, and retaining the
shape on cooling can be repeated several times
without affecting their properties much. Examples
are Polycarbonate, Polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.

2. Thermosetting Polymers: Thermosetting

polymers undergo chemical changes and cross-
linking when heated and become permanently hard
and infusible when cooled. They do not soften on
reheating; instead, they undergo degradation.
Examples are phenol-formaldehyde, urea-
formaldehyde, etc.

Classification of Conducting
Polymers
Organic polymers that conduct electricity are known
as conductive polymers. These compounds can be
metallic conductors or semiconductors. The most
significant advantage of conductive polymers is their
processability, which is mostly achieved through
dispersion.

Conductive polymers are not thermoplastics, which

means they are not thermoformable. They are,
however, organic compounds similar to insulating
polymers. Conducting polymers are classified as
follows:

[Link] Page 14 of 24