E3S Web of Conferences 406, 01034 (2023) https://doi.org/10.

1051/e3sconf/202340601034
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Polymer Materials in Daily Life: Classification, Applications, and

Future Prospects
Jiamin Lu1,*
1College of Material and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Wushan, Tianhe, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

Abstract. As science and technology continue to advance, the field of polymer chemistry has become a
highly researched area. Polymer materials are now widely used in various aspects of our everyday lives,
showcasing the versatility and practicality of this discipline. As people's lives become more affluent, their
reliance on polymer materials has also grown stronger. This article aims to provide a brief overview of
polymer materials, including their classification and applications. By exploring the various uses of polymer
materials, the goal is to identify new opportunities for their application and contribute to enhancing people's
quality of life.

1 Introduction Table 1. Classification of polymer materials.

As society advances and people's expectations for a high
quality of life grow, synthetic polymer materials have
become essential products in people's daily lives,
providing convenience and fundamentally changing
many aspects of daily routines. This paper delves deeper
into the classification of polymer materials and their close
relationship with people. Additionally, it discusses the
current limitations of these materials and presents
suggestions for future research and development
directions. Through this exploration, the hope is to further
understanding of polymer materials and their potential for
improving our lives.
2 Definition and classification of
polymer materials
Polymer materials are high-molecular-weight
compounds, which are synthesized by a series of
chemical reactions. These polymer materials are more
widely used in the market, and depending on their
application characteristics. Summarized in Table 1,
polymer materials include mainly plastic, rubber and
fibre, which are the three parts. In addition, polymer also
includes some coatings, colouring and other functions of
molecular composite materials[1]. Nature is made up of
many similar polymeric substances, such as proteins,
starch, wool, silk, and so on, which are the basic
substances that make up living organisms. In the early
days of relatively low technology, human beings started
using these polymeric substances to improve their lives
such as keeping warm by making clothing out of wool
and so on.
Name Characteristic
Based on polymers, various additives and
Plastics fillers are added to form plastic materials or
rigid materials after processing
Slender and soft filament, at least 100 times
Fibre
the length of the diameter
Highly elastic material with reversible
Rubber
deformation
Polymer material coated on the surface of
Paints an object that forms a tough film and plays a
decorative and protective role
A polymer material that can join more than
Adhesive
two objects together by bonding
Function Fine polymer materials with special
al functions and uses, but not in large
polymers quantities
Which is the largest feature of metallic materials
such as iron, copper, and non-metallic inorganic
materials such as calcium carbonate and magnesium
sulphate, which are widely available around people, is
that they are mass-heavy and inconvenient, while the
most obvious characteristic of polymer materials and the
above materials is that polymer materials are composed
of elements such as C, H, O, and N. The relative
molecular mass of these elements is small[2], therefore,
most polymer materials are light in mass, and this feature
also This characteristic makes polymer materials widely
used in everyday life. Polymeric materials are available
in a vast array of materials from diverse sources and can
be manufactured at a low cost, making them an attractive
option for a wide range of manufacturers to incorporate
into their production processes.

* Corresponding author: 1806964125@qq.com

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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3 Common polymer materials
3.1 Plastic
Plastic is the most common polymer material in
everyday life, but plastics are not only made up of
polymer materials, to ensure the normal use of plastic, in
the manufacturing process it is also necessary to add a
few external excipients including lubricants, stabilizers,
colouring agents, et al[3]. Packaging bags, snack bags,
and so on are all made up of plastic and can be seen
everywhere. Plastics are widely used in everyday life
because they are lightweight and do not change shape
with temperature change, and they are impermeable to
some degree to ensure the dryness of the contents of the
package. However, it should be noted that plastic cannot
be degraded, which brings certain harm to the bad
environment, and, once burned, plastic will produce a
large amount of toxic gas, which brings certain harm to
people's health.
3.2 Fibres
Fibre is another commonly used polymer material in
everyday applications. There are two categories of fibres:
naturally occurring cellulose and chemically synthesized
cellulose. Natural cellulose is mainly found in fruits,
seeds, plant hairs, and other cellulose-rich vegetables in
the wild. Chemical cellulose refers to products made
through chemical processing, and chemical fibres are
often used in the textile and clothing industries.
Nowadays, most people's clothing is made from
synthetic cellulose.
3.3 Polymer film
Polymer membranes have become essential components
in people's lives, promoting an increase in their standard
of living. The SEM image of the polymer membranes is
shown in Figure 1 below. By using filtration, polymer
membranes allow purification of water resources, which
is important for maintaining the freshness and purity of
drinking water. This plays a vital role in safeguarding
people's health by eliminating various harmful impurities
present in water[4]. Moreover, the development of
polymer membrane technology has brought about
significant economic progress in China and increased the
value of this technology.
Fig. 1. SEM electron microscopy scan image of polymer
membrane.
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4 Applications of polymer materials in
daily life
4.1 Application of polymer materials in clothing
Clothing is the oldest application of polymers in people's
lives. As early as thousands of years ago, clothing was
made using animal hair for warmth, and animal hair is
currently what we refer to as fibre polymer material.
With the continued development of polymer research
and development technology, people are now reducing
the natural polymer cotton, wool, hemp, and so forth
from nature as the production of clothing materials, the
more synthetic means of natural materials are used for
processing and manufacturing, for example, most
clothing worn by people is made from synthetic means
of manufactured fibre, as small as the stockings we wear,
as large as the winter coats we wear, and so on, are
inseparable from the polymer materials. Moreover, some
of the attachments on people's bodies are also
inseparable from the polymer materials, such as artificial
leather and plastic compound[5] shoes and belts; brooches,
buttons, et al. are made from unsaturated polyester fibre
in addition to artificial bead pigments.
4.2 Application of polymer materials in diet
Polymeric materials are widely used in the food industry.
Firstly, we consume various types of food, such as
vegetables, meats, and staple foods, which are essentially
made up of polymers classified based on their molecular
weight. Secondly, plastic takeaway boxes and bags are
popular in the food industry because they are lightweight,
non-toxic, and inexpensive, making them highly
convenient for people's daily diets[6]. Mineral water and
snack bags are also commonly produced from plastic.
Overall, it is clear that polymer materials are closely
intertwined with people's dietary habits, and as such,
they have significant impact on our daily lives.
4.3 Application of polymer materials in
transportation
With the advancement of the economy and technology,
people have access to various means of transportation.
The use of automobiles, planes, ships, trains, and other
modes of transport has significantly improved everyday
life, and polymer materials have played an integral role
in this industry. For example, rubber is used to produce
vehicle tires and various polymer resins are used for
external paints. PVC plastic is used for flywheels and
other polymer materials are used throughout
transportation vehicles to enhance their efficiency[7].
This highlights how polymer materials are intertwined
with the transportation industry and its ability to function
effectively.
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4.4 Application of polymer materials in medical
care
Polymeric materials play a crucial role in the medical
field. Medical gauze is an essential tool in medical
treatment, as it helps to stop bleeding, has anti-
inflammatory effects, and isolates external
microorganisms. Gauzes consist of fibres made of
polymeric materials[8]. Engineered organs are also
crucial for treating patients with defects or other medical
complications, and such organs also rely on polymeric
materials. Medical tools, devices, dressings, and other
products are also made of polymer materials. These
materials contribute to improving the medical
environment and reducing patients' potential pain during
treatment[9]. Overall, polymer materials play a vital role
in the medical field, helping to enhance patient care and
treating various medical conditions.
4.5 Other aspects
Polymer materials are an essential part of people's daily
lives, appearing in various applications like clothing,
food packaging, housing materials, and modes of
transportation. They provide numerous benefits such as
durability, flexibility, and light-weighting, that allow for
unique design solutions and cost-effectiveness in many
different industries. The widespread use of polymer
materials highlights their importance in modern-day
society. Additionally, they are used in the production of
Table 2. The molecular weight of H—(CH2)n—H and properties
sports equipment, pavements, phones, computers, and
other electronic devices—making it virtually impossible
to go a day without interacting with polymer materials.
The wide range of applications of polymer materials has
brought exceptional convenience to people. Therefore, it
is safe to say that polymer materials have become an
essential part of human life in modern society.
5 Superiorities and limitations of
polymer materials application
5.1 Superiorities of polymer materials
Polymer materials have numerous crucial advantages
over other materials. Firstly, polymer materials are tough
and highly wear-resistant, making them ideal for
producing items like automobile tires that operate for
long periods without wearing down. Secondly, polymer
materials demonstrate high levels of corrosion resistance
and can withstand exposure to various harsh
environments, unlike many other materials. Lastly,
polymer materials are lightweight and come in a wide
range of forms, making them versatile materials with
widespread applicability across multiple fields[10].
Overall, the unique properties of polymer materials have
made them indispensable in modern society. As shown
in Table 2, it introduces that different polymer materials
can exhibit different properties due to differences in their
molecular weight.

n Molecular Weight Characters Name Use

Gas, and boiling point is -
1 16 Methane Natural gas
162℃
Volatile liquid, and boiling Short-chain
6~8 86~114 Solvent
point is 90~120℃ alkanes
Semi-solid, grease-like,
Medicine,
18~22 254~310 and boiling point is more Vaseline
cosmetics
than 300℃
Solid, and melting point is
20~30 282~422 Paraffin Candle
45~60℃
Strong solid, and melting
2000 ~ 20000 28000~280000 Polyethylene Membrane
point is 110~137℃
making them difficult to degrade, which means that the
5.2 Limitations of polymer materials excessive use of polymer materials could contribute to
environmental deterioration, in conflict with current
Although polymer materials have numerous advantages
trends in sustainable development. Overall, while
over other materials and have found wide use in daily
polymer materials have significant advantages,
life as well as high-end industries, some major
addressing their negative environmental impact and
shortcomings specific to China have emerged. The
expanding research into high-end polymer materials is
demand for polymer materials has risen significantly as
critical to ensuring continued economic and societal
their use has become more widespread, especially in
development.
high-end industries like aerospace and electronics
technology. However, China's research on polymer
materials is currently limited, particularly when it comes 6 Prospects for future applications of
to research on high-end polymer materials. This has polymer materials
resulted in many companies being unable to import
foreign materials, limiting research opportunities in the
field and, in the long run, may hinder China's economic 6.1 Enhancement of function and performance
development.
Moreover, polymer materials can have a significant Polymer materials have become an indispensable part of
environmental impact. They are corrosion-resistant, people's daily lives. As society continues to develop,

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people's needs for polymer materials are becoming more
diverse and demanding. The future trends in polymer
materials development involve perfecting their functions
and enhancing their performance to expand their
potential application in more fields. With extensive
ongoing research and development in polymer chemistry
and physics, we can expect the emergence of more high-
performance molecular materials that will significantly
improve China's economic strength and scientific
technological level. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that
the extensive potential of polymer materials will be fully
realized to help meet the needs of an advanced and
expanding society.
6.2 Composite polymer materials
While the performance of polymer materials is already
impressive and meets many basic needs, the use and
economics of polymer materials can be further improved
through research and development in composite polymer
materials. The trend towards enhancing composite
polymer materials will make them widely applicable in
various fields, including aerospace and aviation, marine
bioengineering, and electronic technology[11]. High-
strength, high-performance, and excellent heat-resistant
composite polymer materials will lead to further
improvements in China's scientific and technological
level, and their use will address multiple social
development needs. In summary, ongoing research into
polymer composite materials is a significant trend that
promises to further unleash the potential of polymer
materials in the future.
6.3 Intelligent and green
In line with the rapidly-evolving society, the significance
of smart technology is becoming increasingly crucial. It
is therefore essential that future polymer materials
possess the ability to self-diagnose and self-care to
minimize the need for manual intervention. This feature
would significantly enhance the durability and reliability
of polymer materials, enabling them to perform
optimally in the dynamic environments of modern-day
applications. This will open up new applications for
polymer materials and make them suitable for use in
high-profile industries. Furthermore, considering the
growing emphasis on promoting harmonious human-
nature coexistence, it is imperative that future
developments in polymer materials align with the trend
of promoting environmental protection and sustainability.
Hence, sustainable and eco-friendly development must
be a significant focus in the future development of
polymer materials. The advancement of science and
technology should not come at the expense of
environmental degradation, and it is crucial for polymer
materials to adopt sustainable production practices for
the benefit of society and the planet as a whole.
Currently, most polymer materials are not easily
recycled, and degradability issues arise. In the future, we
can expect a growing trend towards developing
degradable polymer materials through regenerative
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degradation research[12]. Such advances in research will
play an essential role in future social and economic
development, and their potential value cannot be ignored.
Ultimately, the development of smart, sustainable, and
degradable polymer materials represents a crucial trend
for the continued improvement and expansion of
polymer materials, to better meet the needs of the
contemporary world and ensure a harmonious human-
nature coexistence, as is related to Figure 2.
Fig. 2. Development of new polymer materials.
7 Summary & outlook
Polymeric materials have become increasingly vital in
modern-day living, bringing convenience and enhancing
people's quality of life. These materials have contributed
to economic development and advancements in science
and technology in various countries. They possess
unique properties that allow them to serve as a
fundamental component in many different applications,
ranging from consumer goods to high-tech industries.
Therefore, it is essential to note the significant role that
polymer materials play in society, from facilitating daily
tasks to fuelling economic growth and scientific
advancements. However, we cannot ignore the
limitations of polymer materials. There is still a
significant gap between the level of research in polymer
materials in China and that in other countries. Moreover,
research into polymer materials inevitably leads to
pressure on natural resources and environmental
protection. Therefore, more research and development of
high-performance polymer materials is needed.
We believe that with the continual improvement of
China's national power, future polymer materials will be
more intelligent, green, high-performance, and
composite. This development will resolve the current
issues and provide people with more practical
applications. As researchers and developers in this field,
we will continue to foster the study of materials and the
physics of polymers. This will extend research ideas,
improve R&D technology, and provide technical
guidance for a more comprehensive development of
polymer materials.
In the near future, the potential for the development
of polymer materials is enormous. Polymer materials
will not only meet people's everyday needs but also
provide supportive support to a variety of industries and
promote the healthy development of each industry.
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Overall, we believe that polymer materials hold great

promise for helping people live better, more efficient,
and sustainable lives.

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