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1. What is a Homopolymer?
– Definition, Formation, Structure and Characteristics
2. What is a Copolymer?
– Definition, Formation, Structure and Characteristics
3. What is the difference between Homopolymer and Copolymer?
What is a Homopolymer
A homopolymer is formed by a single type of monomer. Thus, it consists of only
one type of repeating unit. homopolymers are usually made by a polymerization
technique called addition polymerization. Monomers that undergo this process
must have either double or single bonds. The repeating unit enclosed in brackets
represents the chemical structure of a homopolymer. For example, if we take ‘X’ as
the repeating unit of a particular homopolymer, we can represent the structure of
that homopolymer as –[X]-n. Usually, when naming the homopolymers, the word
‘poly’ is used as the prefix in most cases, followed by the chemical name of the
repeating unit. For example, repeating unit ‘vinyl chloride’ forms a polymer called
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some common examples of homopolymers
include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, and
poly(methyl methacrylate).
What is a Copolymer
A polymer formed from more than one type of monomer is called a copolymer.
Thus, it contains two or more different types of repeating units. Usually, most of the
copolymers are formed through a process called condensation polymerization.
There are several classes of copolymers: block copolymers, alternating copolymers,
graft copolymers, and statistical copolymers. The structure of these classes can be
explained simply by using two types of hypothetical repeating units namely; A and
B. In statistical copolymers, the sequence of repeating units obeys known
statistical laws. Random copolymers are an example for statistical copolymers that
have a random distribution of repeat units (ex: ̴ ̴ A-B-B-A-A-A-A-B-B-B-A-B-B ̴
̴). Alternating copolymers consist of only two types of repeat units, which are
arranged alternative along the polymer chain (Ex: ̴ ̴ A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B-A- B ̴ ̴). In block
copolymers, the repeat units exist in blocks of the same type (ex: ̴ ̴ A-A-A-A-A-B-B-B-
B-B ̴ ̴). Block copolymers are linear copolymers. Graft copolymers contain branches
of different chemical structures attached to main chain. Some common copolymers
include poly(vinyl acetate), poly (ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene terephthalate) and
poly(hexamethylene sebaacamide).
Structure of the condensation polymerization between Formaldehyde and Phenole to Bakelite
Chemical Structure
Homopolymers usually have a simple structure.
Copolymers have a complex structure.
Polymerization Process
Homopolymers are formed through addition polymerization.
Copolymers are formed through condensation polymerization.
Examples
Homopolymers include PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,
polytetrafluoroethylene, and poly(methyl methacrylate).
Copolymers include poly (vinyl acetate), poly (ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene
terephthalate) and poly(hexamethylene sebaacamide).
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