Biodegradable Polymers

1. Poly β -hydroxybutyrate – co-β -hydroxy valerate (PHBV)

2. Nylon 2–nylon 6

2 2 -
glycine (H N–CH – COOH ) + amino caproic acid H2 N -(CH2 )5 COOH

Classification of Polymers
1. Natural polymers
These polymers are found in plants and animals.
Examples are proteins, cellulose, starch, some resins
and rubber.
2. Semi-synthetic polymers
Cellulose derivatives as cellulose acetate (rayon) and cellulose
nitrate, etc. are the usual examples of this sub category.
3. Synthetic polymers
A variety of synthetic polymers as plastic (polythene), synthetic
fibres (nylon 6,6) and synthetic rubbers (Buna - S) are examples
of man-made polymers extensively used in daily life as well as
in industry.
 Polymers
S. Abbrevi Starting Nature of
Name of Polymer Properties Applications
No ation Materials Polymer
I. Polyolefins
1. Polyethylene or CH2 = CH 2 Low density Transparent, Packing material bags,
Polyethene homopolymer moderate tensile insulation for electrical
(branched chain strength, high wires and cables.
growth toughness Buckets, tubes, house
ware pipes, bottles and
toys
2. Polypropylene or CH3 CH= CH 2 Homopolymer, Harder and Packing of textiles and
Polypropene or linear, chain stronger than foods, liners for bags,
Herculon growth polyethene heat shrinkage wraps,
carpet fibres, ropes,
automobile mouldings,
stronger pipes and
bottles.
3. Polystyrene or Styron C6 H 5 CH= CH 2 Homopolymer, Transparent Plastic toys, household
linear, chain wares, radio and
growth television bodies,
refrigerator linings.
II. Polydienes
1. Neoprene Cl Homopolymer, Rubber like, a Horses shoe heels,
H 2C CH C CH 2 chain growth superior resistant stoppers.
Chloroprene or
to aerial oxidation,
2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene and oils, gasoline
etc.
2 Buna S SBR or H 2C CH CH C H 2 Copolymer, Rubber like, a Manufacturer of tyres,
(Styrene- Butadiene, GRS 1,3-butadiene chain growth superior resistant rubber soles, water
Rubber) to aerial oxidation, proof shoes.
and C 6 H5 CH = CH2
Styrene
and oils, gasoline
etc.
III. Polyacrylates
1. Polymethylmethacrylate PMM A CH3 Homopolymer Hard, transparent, Lenses, light covers,
(Flexiglass Lucite, H 2C C C OOCH 3 excellent light light shades,
Acrylite or Perspex transm ission. signboards, transparent
Optical clarity domes, skylights, air
better than glass, craft windows, dentures
takes up colours. and plastic jewellery.
2. Polyethylacrylate H C CH CO OC H
Homopolymer Tough, rubber like
product.
2 2 5

3. Polyacrylonitrile or PAN CH2 = CH— CN Homopolymer Hard, horny and Orion, acrilon used for
Orlon high melting making clothes,
materials. carpets, blankets and
preparation of other
polymers.
IV. Polyhalofins
1. Polyvinyl chloride PVC CH 2 = CH— Cl Homopolymer, Pliable (easily (i) Plasticised with
chain growth moulded) polyester polymers
used in rain coats, hand
bags, shower curtains,
fabrics, shoe soles, vinyl
flooring (ii) Good
electrical insulator, (iii)
Hose pipes.
2. Polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE F 2 C= CF2 Homopolymer Flexible and inert (ii) For nonstick utensils
or Teflon to solvents, boiling coating (ii) Making
acids even gaskets, pump
aquaregia, stable packings, valves, seals,
upto 598 K non lubricated bearings.
3. Polymonochlorotrifluor PCTFE ClFC= CF2 Less resistant to Similar to those of
o-ethylene heat and Teflon.
chemicals due to
presence of
chlorine atom s.
 S. Abbre Starting Nature of
Name of Polymer Properties Applications
No viation Materials Polymer
I. Polyesters
1. Terylene or Dacron HO CH 2 CH 2 OH
Copolymer, Fibre crease For wash and wear
or Mylar step growth, resistant, low fabrics, tyre cords,
Ethylene glycol or Ethane-1,2-diol

linear m oisture sea belts and sails.

And
O O content, not
HO C C OH dam aged by
pests likes
moths.
Terephthalic acid or
Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid

2. Glyptal or Alkyl HO C H2 CH 2 OH C opolymer, Thermoplastic, Paints and lacquers.

resin Ethylen e glycol
linear step dissolves in
growth suitable solvents
and
HOOC COOH
and solutions,
on evaporation
leaves a tough
but not flexible
Phthalic acid or
Benzene-1,2-dicarbo xylic acid

film.
II. Polyamides
1. Nylon-6,6 O O C opolymer,
HO C(CH 2 ) 4 C OH linear, step
Adipic acid growth
and
H 2 N (CH 2 )6 NH 2
Hexa methylenediamine

2 Nylon-6,10 H 2 N(C H 2 ) 6 NH 2 Copolymer, High tensile (i) Textile fabrics,

H examethylene diam in e linear, step strength, carpets, bristles for
growth abrasions brushes. (ii)
and
HOOC(CH 2 )8 COOH
resistant, Substitute of metals
somewhat in bearings (iii)
Sebacic acid

elastic Gears elastic

hosiery.
Mountaineering
ropes, tyre cords,
fabrics.
3. Nylon-6 or Perlon L NH O Hom opolym er Mountaineering
, linear ropes, tyre cords,
fabrics.
Caprolactum
Fermaldehyde resins
1. Phenolformaldehyd Phenol and Copolymer, (i) with low degree
e resin or Bakelite formaldehyde step growth polymerization for
binding glue, wood,
varnishes, lacquers.
(ii) With high
degree
polymerisation for
combs, for mica
table tops, fountain
pen barrels,
electrical goods
(switches and
plugs), gramophone
records.
2. Melamine Melamine and Copolymer, Tough, rubber Non-breakable and
formaldehyde resin formaldehyde step growth like product. non-plastic
crockery.
 Name of Polymer Monomer Structure Uses

Polypropene Propene Manufacture of

ropes, toys, pipes,
fibres, etc.
Polystyrene Styrene As insulator, wrapping
material, manufacture
of toys, radio and
television cabinets.
Polyvinyl chloride Vinyl chloride Manufacture of rain
(PVC) coats, hand bags, vinyl
flooring, water pipes.
Urea-formaldehyle (a) Urea For making unbreak-
Resin (b) Formaldehyde able cups and
laminated sheets.
Glyptal (a) Ethylene glycol Manufacture of
(b) Phthalic acid paints and lacquers.

Bakelite (a) Phenol For making combs,

(b) Formaldehyde electrical switches,
handles of utensils and
computer discs.

Important Polymers
Buna – N 71

It is used in making oil seals, tank lining, etc.

Neoprene
Neoprene or polychloroprene is formed by the free radical
polymerisation of chloroprene.

Natural Rubber isoprene (2-methyl-1, 3-butadiene)