Chapter 15

Polymers

llabus Classification of Polymers, Types of Polymarisatlon, Moloculnr M.1~«; of Polyrn,;rs,

Biodegradable Polymers, Polymers of Commercial lmportanco

Introduc tion " · ·

Polymers. or macromolecules, as they are a/so known, are tho s11bstancol'i, with vmy
hlyh molom/ar m.1:is, <mr;h
molecule of which consists of a very large number of slmplo structural units Jo/nod togothor
in u rou11l:1r nwnn11r.
The simple molecules from which the repeating structura l units aro obtalnod nre cn/lod thfl
monorrwrs rmd tlto
process of formation of polymers from the monomers, is termed as potymor/s :1tlon. Polynwrh
,:1tl<m mn y 1Jlt;0 b1:1
defined as the process in which many small molecules (monomers) Join to9t/Jor
to form n now r:omro11f1(f w11h
high molecular mass, with or without the elimination of slmpla mo/oculo s s11ch ns
w.1tor, nmmn11i11 , motl!yl nlc;ohol
etc.

CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMERS
Polymers can be broadly classified in following different mannors.
1. Classification on the basis of the source

(i) Natural Polymers. The polymers which are found In nature are called natural polymers
. Tho:,o
polymers include proteins, polysaccharides, natuml rubber, resins, gums etc. Thoso aro
tho product.<5
of vegetable or animal origin and hence, are termed as blopolymors. Among polysocch
aricliffl starch
is a polymer of a-glucose (monomer) while in cellulose the repeating unit Is dorlvc<J frorn
l~-glucoa,,
(monomer). Both starch and cellulose are synthesised by plants during proces3 of photosyn
the~is.
Similarly, proteins (polypeptides or polyamides) are synthesised In living organisms by polyme,fa
ation
of a-amino acids.
Rubber is also an important natural polymer. The monomer in the rubber is a hydrocarbon,
commonly
named as isoprene (2-methyl-1 , 3-butadiene).

CH, CHl
I I
nCHz=C -CH =CH1
Polymerisation
[-CH3 -C =
CH- CH2- ln
lsoprene (Natural rubber)

The repeating units in the natural rubber, containing an unsymmotrlcal double bond,
have all cis-
configuration.
(II) Semi Synthetic Polymers : These are derived from naturally occurring polymers
by chemical
reactions such as gun-cotton, vulcanised rubber, gun-cotton Is obtained by nitration or
celluk)s6. / e.,
cellulose nitrate Is gun-cotton, vulcanised rubber Is obtalnod by heating natural rubber
with sulphur.
(Ill) Synthetic Polymers. The polymers which aro artificially prepared from monomers
In the laboratones
are called synthetic polymers . These polymers lncludo polythono , nylon, dacron. synthE>tic
rubber,,
polyester etc.

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r 2. Classification on the
basis of str uc tur e
ture the polymms me clr1
sslfled as :
e high densities, hir,;h fl:r 1
,,.~
t Uc
t On tho t,;1s,s o I s r
Tl ~a are the
nts .
pol
In
ym
the
ers
se
wh
pol
ich
ym
are well packed and hav
ers , the monomers are join pf
ed together
f
to for m tor, ,,
~
c,f
"-f .,l -, f
.
t
lin ea r Potymh~rsh. m:~: ng
poi
strength and. rg f olymer molecules. Hig h de nsi
. ,
ty po 1yt
h
en e
·
1s an exa m e o suc h a f>/PP
.--- .

~
straight cha rns o P
ti' thus. these
.~fl1lfJi'f -1 1 polymer. irregularly pa cke.d an d
se po lymers, mo no me rs are
- die .~( d h · Po lym ers
·
fn the
(ii) Branche c am strength and melting point as compared to linear
t ·1 .
.
polymers . An important
examp le

J.. S
-..) . .
~
'-.j. 1.( have lower ensr e
ym ers is low den sity polythene.
__
of such type of pol
ar po lym er chains are
joined together to
typ e of po lym ers the line
... . k d p olymers . fn this ,
wh y these are 1 als o called three-
(111) Cross- 1m e d'm ion al net wo rk str uct ure. This is the rea• son 'd d b . I 8 k ·t e .rs an examp le
ens an rift e. _ a e I ~ _ _
form a th ree Itwork structures • These po lym ers are hard, ng1
. ·
d1mens1ona1 ne
.
of such type of polymers

~
~
~r~ Branched chain polymers
{c) cross-linked po lymers
(b)
(a) Linear polymers
tion
on mode of polymerisa
3. Classification based
fied as :
polymers can be classi
Based on the synthesis the sim ple mo no me r unr
ts
dit ion Po lym ers . In addition polymerisation, for me d
ion. Ad lym ers thus,
(i) Addition Polymerisat ing the sam e em pirical formula . Th e po
produc t hav is ter me d as
join together to form a new the ad dit ion po lym er
po lym ers . Wh en mo no me rs are sa me me d, is known
are called addition are different the addition po
lymer, thu s for
cas e the mo nom ers
homopolymer, but in lymerisation.
process is called copo
as copolymer and the . The
am on g mo lec ule s of ole
fins an d the ir de riv ati ves
gen era lly tak es pla ce rep res en ted
Addition polymerisation nis m. Fonnation of addition po
lym er can be
or free rad ical me c~a
reaction may involve ionic
as
G G
I I
nCH2 =
CH - - . [-C H2-C H-
Ad diti on
Jn
po lym er
Mo no me r
logen), CN, CO OR etc.
Where G can be H, X (ha
lyte tra flu oro eth yle ne
are pq lyth en e, po lyv iny l chl ori de (PV C), po
n polymers
Some importan~ additio e, po lys tyr en e etc.
rub ber s (Bu n~- S, n~ oprene}, polyacrylonitril
(Teflon),_synthetic ge
· · n po lym eri sat ion ' a lar.
Co nd en sat ion Po lym erisation · C on d ensat1on Polymers. In con de nsa tio hke
(ii) . . sim ple mo lec ule s
lecules comb·me t og eth er with the sim ult an eo us los s of
number of monomer mo Th e po lym er for me d is no t
H O NH ole cul e cal led co nd en sation po lym er.
2 ' 3 etc:, to form a ma
cro-m lon,
nomers Som 8 • lym eri sat ion are Ny
an exact multiple of moptal imp ort an t pro du cts of con de nsa tio n po ~
ite Gly .·
Jeryl.e.ne.. Ba-kel etc.
• . . - - • __ resms
· . . fie d as .
On the basis of synthe sis po1ymenzat1on can als o be cla ssi
. : .
lon It . du ce a fre e
(a) Chain Gr ow th Po lym erl sat
an init iat or (su ch as org an ic pe rox ide } to pro ·-
·dd req ~,r es
radical to which monom
ers I ·· in ve ry sm all qu an titie s
are a h ed 1n, a cha in fas ion. rnt1ators are added .
h·
he t . . . l.
and are decomposed by a , 1ig t or red ox react1·0 n t o Produce rea ctiv e sp ea es fre e radica

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 Examples of chain growth poly
merlsnllon ere :

POiymer
(I) Ethylene Polyethene
(II) Propylene Polypropylene
(Ill) Butadiene Polybutadlene
(Iv) Tetrafluoro ethylene Polytetra fluoroethylene (Teflon
or PTFE)
(v) Vinyl chloride Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
(b) Step Growth Polymerisatio
n. In step growth polymerisa
manner, with or without eliminat tion, condensation occurs in
a step-wise
ion of smaller molecules.

Monomer :.:
·.. • Polymer
(i) Adipic acid and Hexa methylene
diammine Nyl_on-6~ .
(ii) Phenol and formaldehyde
Bakelite .
(iii) Terephthalic acid and ethylen
e glycol Polyester T erylene

4. Classification of Polymers
Based on Molecular Forces
Depending upon the basis of
the magnitude of intermolecu
the following four categories. lar forces, polymers have bee
n classified into
(i) Elastomers. Polymers in
which the intermolecular forc
es of attraction between the
are the weakest are known as polymer chains
elastomers . These weak forces
few 'cross links' are introduced allow the polymer to be stretch
in between the chains which help ed. A
position after the forces is ·the polymers to retract to its orig
released. The most important inal
vulcanised rubber, the hydroc example of an elastomer is
arbon chains are held together rubber-. In
When tension is applied, the by cross-linking chains of sulp
chains can straighten out, but hur atoms .
of poly sulphide bridges. Thu the y can not slip pas t eac h other because
s, rubber can be stretched only
is removed, the chain tends to a limited extent. When the
to coil up again and the rubber tension
resumes its original shape.
(ii) Fibres. Polymers having
the strongest intermolecular
forces of attraction are called
polymers pos ses s high ten fibres. These
sile strength and high fTIOdulu
intermolecular forces like hyd s. Thi s can be attr ibu ted to the strong
rogen bonding as in the cas
strong forces also lead to clos e of polyamides (e.g., nylon
-66 ). These
e packing of chains and thus,
impart crystalline nature to the
As a result of this, polymers sho polymer.
w sharp melting points .
(Ill) The rmo pla stic s. Polymers
in which the intermolecular forc
elastomers and fibres are call es of attraction are in betwee
ed thermoplastlcs. Because n those of
of lesser intermolecular force
these can be moulded easily of attraction ,
by heating. In thermoplastic poly
chains. ~om mo n examples mers there is no cross-linking
of thermoplastics are : Polyet between
hyleneJ?olystyrene etc .
(Iv) Thermosetting plastics. The ,
se polymers are normally ma
de from relatively low molecu
fluid polymers which when heated lar mass semi-
in a mould become infusible
occurs because of extensive and form an insoluble hard mass. This
cross !Inking between differen
t polymer chains farming thre
network of bonds connecting the e dimensional
polymer chains (e.'g . bakelite
).
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AH lndi.• Medical Entrance E:,mms.

GENERAL METHOD OF POLYMERISATION

Generally,
Addition Polymerlsatlon : The polymerisation In which monomers add together to form p<.>lymer,
tt taket
unsaturated compound undergoes addition polymerisation such as alkene, alkadiene and styrene,
produces reactive intermedi ated for
place through stages leading to increase of chain length and each stage
laatlon.
use in the next stage of the growth of the chain hence also known as chain growth pofymer
Addition polymerisation is of following three types depending upon type of reactive intermediate
by an initiator,
(a) Free radical addition polymerlsatlon : This type of addition polymerisation generated
The
Initiator provides radical through decomposition. t-Butyl peroxide is generally used as ini1iator,
polymerisation is depicted as below:
373-423K •
(CH,),COOC(CH3)l 2(CH 3) 3CO
I-Butyl peroxide t-Butoxlde radical acts
as Initiator (In)
CH2=CH2 ln-CH2 -CH 2-CH2-CH •
, -, =CH2 --+ ln-CH2 -C•H2
In + cu 2

Ethylene
or
ln--fCH 2 -C~-r, ;
Polythene
The vinylic polymerisation is as follows
Chain Initiation Step
Initiato r--• In

ln° + CH, =CH --ln-C H 2 -CH

.
I I
G G
Chain Propagation Step

.
ln-CH2 -CH + CH,=C H--+ln -CH 2 -CH-C H-CH
2

. I I . I I
G G G G

l
In-CH -CH-C H -CH
2 I 2 I
G G

Chain Termination Step

In- LH 2 -CH l_CH2 - CH-1. _ ln_JCH 2 cul.cH 2-CHA

~ I Tn I 7 I,;, I
G G G G

many
A• is known as inhibitor. The compounds which bring chain termination i.e., acts as inhibitor are
amines, phenols, quinones etc.
Chain transfer agents decreases average molecular mass of polymer by inhiMing the parent addition ct,af1
reaction but they starts their own chain growth, example CC1 4 , CBr4

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(b) Cationic Addition Polymerl11tlon
i, ~ potymf!nMhon "wofvP-1 caliornc 1nrti1tlor the n i.nown as r,11ti,,nir. a'1rtlbr,n f>O¥T•",,;1W111_ Thtiile
art inttit1,t!d l,y ac4d and termination of r.hain lake plfft ft by In~• of H".

Chain Initiation Sltp

H•~r• ... (eledron donating)

Chain Propagation Step

e • $
CH, -CH + C~~CH--+CH ,-CH-CH2-CH
I I I I
G G G G
Chain Termination Step

CH) -cHI ® - -1 L
cH2-cH ..L_,. cH3-cH \ cH -cH /ncH == cH + HA
b
2 - 2

G GI I n I
G G
A- is base which accepts HEB.

(c) Anionic Addition Polymerisation:

If anionic ~pecies_acts as initiator in addition polymerisation. Generally, it occurs in monomers having

electron withdrawing group. Initiation can be done by n-butyl lithium or potassium amide.
Chain Initiation Step

e-----. ~
EB e
KN~+ CH 2 =CH-+HN-C H -CH
I 2 2 I
G G
(electron withdrawing group)

Chain Propagation Step

~ N -CH2-CH----..._ ~
6
+ CH 2 ==CH-+H
I
2 N-CH
I 2
iI
CH-CH
2
jnn I
~H

G G G G

Chain Termination Step

HN -CH -CH-CH -~H

2 2 I 2 I ~
G G
W acts as chain terminator

Copolymerisallon : If same monomer polymerised to form a homopolymer then ,t lS called

homopolymerisation and if a mixture of more than one monomeric species is allowed to ~~ ._.
it is named as copolymerisation. Example, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBA) •

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(
t
Polyme,8
All India Medic,, ! EntmncfJ Exams.

SOME COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT POLYMERS

1. Addition Polymers
(A) POLY OLEFIN$
1. Polyethylene or Polythene.
Monomer. Ethylene (CH2 = CH 2) .
th e 1·s heated at 473 K under high pressure in theh presence of a trace
. . · f rb
Preparation. When e YIen Is formed' It is an alkane with a very ong c ain o
1 ca on atoms
of oxygen (0.01 %) po lyth ene ·
(molecular mass about 20,000).
0 2 , 473K CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2 -CH2 -CH2-
nCH2 = CH2 High
Ethylene pl'9HUl'9
or, -+CH2-CH2 -t,i
Polyethylene {polythene)

, pipes, plastic bags and films.

Uses. 1. Polythene is widely used for the manufacture of toys, bottles
2. It is also used as a coating for insulating the wires, cables ,
other materials.

2. Polystyrene
Monomer. Styrene (C6 H5-CH = CH2 )
e or potassium amide (KNH 2) ,
Prep~ration. When styrene is heated in the presence of peroxid
polystyrene (an addition polymer) is formed.
CH= CH2 -fCH- CHt 1ft

© :;:~· ©
Styrene Polystyrene

Uses. The polystrene is used in the manufacture of light

weight packing materials, lining for
goods etc.
refrigerators, plastic toys, radio and TV bodies, and house hold
(B) POLY HALO-OLEFIN$
1. Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
Monomer. Tetrafluoroethylene (CF2 = CF2)
prese nce of oxyge n , to form
Preparation. Tetra f/uoroethylene polymerises, in the
polytetrafluoroethylene called teflon.
02
nCF2=CF2 -=-+ -CF2 -CF2 -CF2-CF2 - or -fCF2-CF2-t,,
Tetratluoro Teflon
ethylene

It is not attacked by boiling acids.

Teflon is flexible and is inert to solvents and stable upto 598 K.
gs, valve seals etc.
Uses. It is used for making baskets, pump-packings, non-lubricating bearin
2. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Monomer. Vinyl chloride (CH2 = CH-Cl)
yl chloride by heating in an inert
Prepar~tion. Vinyl chloride (chloroethene) polymerises into polyvin
solvent 1n the presence of peroxide catalyst.

Cl Cl Cl
Peroxide f f f
nCHa =CH- Ci
-CH -CH 2-C H-C H2- or -fcH ;-CH +,;-
Vfnyl Chlorlde Polyvlnyf chloride (PVC)

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,,,
• ,_.
ft) • tt _,.,, UMfut tor the f'f'latlUfarf\,re of •tttfit'• INlhet. pl.HOC .,..,.,, ,..., r.1)9ft. """"" ~ -

f•)
W'Y4 floorw,getr
ft is uNd tof coabng wwres. cabtes and other e4ectncal good! in ~ IO lt'lsul-at4 flem __ IP
C•l ft II uwd for rnalung gramophooe records and hose pipes.

Synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber resembles in many properties wilh natural rubber. The moar - - ,
.Jr
UNd synlhebc rubbers generalty involve lhe pofymerisation of 1, 3 blo<flene ~ its denvative Mitt a,dw'
alkene such as styrene. This process of polymerisation involving different monomers rs cal'9d
Copofymerisation and the products are known as copolymers.

Examples of some synthetic rubbers are discussed below :

:~J
c:l ..
1. riJna-~or SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) ....,u
It is a copolymer of 1, 3-butadiene and styrene
-~ c~ -=
~ -.,
Monomers : Butadiene, (CH 2 = CH - CH = CH2)

and styrene, (C6 H5CH = CH2) .

Preparation. Buna-S is prepared by copolymerisation of 1, 3-butadiene and styrene in the presence . ~
of sodium which acts as a polymerising agent.
-· ~-=
~~

.....,
Iii)
--

nCH2 =CH-CH=cH, + nC.HsCH=C~_.-fc~-CH=CH-CH2-CH- C~i, ......_ ·.

1, 3-Butadiene Styrene (Buna-5) I
c.Hs --.

(Buna-S, Bu for butadiene, Na for sodium used as polymerising agent and S for styrene). -.

Uses. This is used in the manufacture of tyres for automobiles, shoe soles and other rubber products. .
. . '-'
2. Buna-N or nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). _

Monomers 1, 3-Butadiene and Vinyl cyanide (acrytonitrile). -~ _

Preparation. It is obtained by the copolymerisation of 1, 3-butadiene with vinyl cyanide in fhe _ ~

l
~d~~
neH,=CH-CH=cH2
1,3-81_....
+ ne~=cH-CN
Vinylcyanide Ii
rerox'ide
-L
..__
. . .. .
I
-tCH,-CH=CH-C~-CH,-r-\; .. .

NBA CN
-~ I
UNI : (II has more resistance
•~
wwards 011).
J
0) tn lhe manufacture of oil seals and gaskets.

(I) Used for preparing storage tanks.

(iii) tt ii also res1&tant to many chemicals. . ., u :~ Faic 251.1841 2_. .~
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3. NftOprene rubber. It Is nn nr1dltlon polymer .
Monomer : 2 -Chloro - 1, 3-b utadtone (chloropren,,).

Cl

CH, =cH- 6=cH 2

• s to give neoprene rubber.
Preparation. Chloroprene poIymense

Cl Cl

nCH2 =CH- J==cH 2-+ --iCH 2-CH =!H-C H 2Tn

___L_
Chloropre ne
(2-chloro- 1, 3, -butadiene) Neoprene

Neopre ne rubber is non-flammable and resistant to organic solvents.

Uses.
0) It finds applications in the manufact~re of hoses and gaskets.
do not catch fire.
(ii) Neopre ne conveyor belts are espec,·ally useful ·,n coal mines as these
4. Gutta percha. It is an addition polymer

CH3

Monom er: lsopren ; CH2= =l-cH= CH2

(2-Methyl-1 , 3-butadiene)

s all trans
Preparation. It is obtained by free radical polymerisation of isoprene and it possesse
configuration.
(D) Poly acrylates
1. Poly Methyl meth acrylate (PMMA)
Comme rcially PMMA is also known as Plexiglass, Acrylate, Perspex or Lucite.
. CH3
. I
Monomer. Methyl meth acrylate, (CH2 =c-CO OCH3 )

Preparation. It is obtained by the polymerisation of methyl meth acrylate

CH3
nCH =6-co OCH3 Peroxide\
2

Methyl meth acrylate

Pol; methyl methacrylate
. . . ly sed in the manufacture
. . ts therefore it ,s common u
uses. As it can acquire beautiful colo~rs and t~n , nd piastic jewellery etc.
of lenses, light shades, signboards, aircraft windows a

2. Poly ethyl acrylate

Monomer. Ethyl acrylate (CH2 = CH - COOCzH s>
i of ethyl acrylate.
Isat on
Preparation. It Is obtained by. the polymer 3456 Fax . 25084124
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f-CH,-, 1
t et\=,H ] ,_
COOC,Hs
Ethyl IICfy la
l
Uses. It is a hard and horny material having
COOC,HJ n
Poly lll,yl ac,y lN
a hq1 melting point. So it is UMd to ~kd l"~ Jr'J
and Or1on fibres which are used tor making hA'4n
clothes, blankets and carpets,
3. Polyacrylonitrile
Monomer. Vinyl cyanide (CH = CH - CN)
2
........
Preparation. Vinyl cyanide polymerises into
polyacry1onitrile
CN
nC ~= CH -CN - - -tC H -CH t,;-
vmy1cyanide
2
'
PotyaefYlonillle
Use s. This is a synthetic fibre sold under
the trade names of Orlon and Acri/an.
11. Con dens ation poly meri satio n : When both
of the reacting mole cules are brfunctional. They
of condensation reactions with eliminatio ~ 7 ' a 5ef" ~
n of water to form potymers. The product
bifunctional hence condensation goes on. of each &tep NJ ar~
Therefore, each step prooucec.; a distinct ~
not reactive intermediate hence the proc
ess is also called as step grow th polymer"
Cl.Jll'TlPOC.xd at,1 .
tsation. •
Exa mpl es:
(A) POLYAMIDES
Nylo n. Nylon is a general name for all the
products obtained by copolymerisation of
. diammioes. They are polyamides havin cibasic acids and
g protein like structure and are used in mak
The commonly used hosiery fibres are Nylo ing syn1hetic ties .
n 66 synthetic (read as nylon six, six),
ten) . The nam e nylo n (ny = New york Nylon 610 (Nyton 5i,(,
and Ion = Lond on) is given to this fibre
simultaneously developed in New York and beca use it was
London.

-
1. Nylo n 66 and Nylo n ..610
Monomers. Hexamethylene diammine NH
2 (CH:J 1 NH 2 and
Adipic acid . HOOC (CH:J COO 4 H.
Preparation. Nylon 66 is formed by the
condensation of hexamethy\ene diammine
as shown below : and aapic acid

nHO OC( C~)4 COOH + nNH2(CH2),NH2

Adipi caoo ~~m ethyl ene ' ...
diammine

High
pressure l550K
-+c o-( C~ .-c o-N H- (~. -NH
+,;+ nHiO
11,'YJ<>n 66
The number 66 indicates that there are two
monomers, each having six ~ atoms. Simia
610
is tormedbY the condensation of hexa meth ylene diammine
and seba dC acid (HOOC(CH2)1COC>t-i)
l1y nylon
The number 61 o indic at~ that there are two
monomers, one having six carb on ~ while
the Olher
having ten carb on atoms:
h h high tensile stf'ength, abrasion resistant,
Uses. Nylo ns ~re generally to~ ., :veman ufacture of c:arpets, ropes, textile fibres,
fleltible and
som ewh at elastic. They are us in . e
bristles for
. N Ion is blend ed with wool or rayon
brushes, knitted good s, parts of m~1 nery
such as bea ~"i!. :~·N Jon- 6 is particularly
. e their strength and resistance to wea used tor the
to incre as . r an . .
nd •
manufacture ot tyre-cords, fabncs a rope 5
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._. .... IDSlitlltll . Regc1. Off~_Aakash Towe r. Plot No.-4 . Sector-11 , Owarka. New .. - _ . -
L t
••~\ - -- - - - ~ • ---- . -
 Polym'!f! .
ce Exn ms.
All India Me dica l Ent ran
Polymer$

ce Exams.
All India Medical Entran
H
2. Nylon 6 or Perlon
l./ 20
Monomer. Caprolactum,
U the monomer caprolactam which in
turn is obtained from cylco
prepared from
Preparation. Nylon 6 is
:
hexanontt as shown below H 0

6 60

NH2 0H
- H20
NOH

H2 SO.
Beckmann
rearrangement
I
(" N~
u - Polymerisation
(H20)
Nylon-6

er. The molten polymer

II
[-N H- (C ~) s-C -J n

is forced
on-6 are obt ained by melt-spinning of the polym
The filaments of nyl a stream of air.
the fibres are cooled by
through the spinneret and

(B) POLYESTER st popular synthetic fibr

e.
Terylene or Terene or Dacron. This is the mo
1.
rc oO CH3
thalate CH3 00 c- --( Q
Monomers. Dimethyl tereph
CH2 OH. CH2OH
and Ethylene glyc?I d ethylene glycol
the con den sat ion of dimethyl terephthalate an
Preparation. Terylene is obt
ained by taining two glycol
e like cal ciu m ace tate when a diester con
of a weak bas gly co l an d a
at 470 Kin the presence er to 550 K un de r red uced pressure it los es
ating this est
units is obtained. On he
polyester is formed.
· C~ OH
. Cal. acetate, 47 0 K
c~ o. oc -@ -c oo cH , + 2 / -2CH:.OH

2o co ~"
HO H2 C- CH~ o.ocH2.CH20H-
55
K
C~ OH

Reduced pressure
IH 0- eo -@ -c o - ocH cH
° L
o 2 2
j n
ne or Dacron (A polyster)
Teryle
ed in
ption. So it is wid ely us
rea ses res ista nce an d has low moisture absor str en gth an d
Use~. Teryl~ne_ fibre inc high ten sile
~in_g, car pe ts, she ets an d curtains. Due to its
clot
ma~ing textile frbres for ording tapes.
istance to we ar an d tea r, ,t 1s used for making rec
res
thalic ac id.
2. res in. It is a po lym er of ethylene gly~ol an d ph
Glyptal or Alkyd
.
HOOC COOH

JdQ _ _,...
?i ~c -
n( HO C~ -C Hp H) + n -0 -C HZ -< ;~ -Q C
~
Phthalic acid
@ n

It is us ed . the manufacture of paints and lacquers.

. . ,n
(C) fORMAL oe Hv oe RESINS
resin (Bak . formaldehyde
1. Phenol-formaldehyde ation. e). It ,s a co po lym er ob tained from phenol and
polymeris elit
condensation;

Ip
r..~"\."~•------------------------~Al:.,1 !:lr,::.!:rll::,n..:,:M:.::,6::,:'ll::.::<.11:.:.:.l.:E:;.;.nl:.:..:r";.;.;n.;,;CIJ;;...;;;.;E"'..;.•_mt_.

,...,.,.uon. Wh,m pht,nul 11 ltft11te1t wllh torrnnltlnhvd• In th1 pr•aem.• of 1n ac.,idic or a baliC
I l~IAlyat, • mi\1111• ot 011110 -•mi pmnhy1hm1y bo111yl olcohol 11 formed. ~

H" ~ HCH 1 ott ~i

t H( '. 110 - -- Q +
OI OH -
O-Hydroxy CH.OH
benzyl nlcohol p-Hydroxy
benzyl alcohol
Tho e>-nnd p-aubslltutod phenols then undergo copolymerlsatlon (due to ability of phenol to act as C
• bHunctlonnl or • trl-functlonal molecule) to form a cross,. linked copolymer known as Bakelite. C
I
*c~7¢rc~7¢rc~- .:J
H CH,OH 1H _,,CH, , 1H , OH OH OH

•~H,oH (QJ TQl

CH,OH HOH,it CH,OH CHa CH, CHi • 'J
♦H
c
HO
O Copolymerleallon ~ A Ao"
-'9'-cH,ycH,yCH,- C·_,
,OH CH,OH CH OH OH -
2

Uaea, Bakallta Is a cross llnked polymer which Is also known as thermosetting polymer (which
cannot be moulded on heating). It has a three dimensional network which can be widely varied to .
get an excellent adhesive, a mouldlng resin, a varnish resin or as a binding agent.
2. Mel1mlne-tomaldehyde resin. Melamine and for~aldehyde copolymerize to give another polymer. -
used In making plastlc crockery. Crockery made from melamine polymer are hard and do not break
c:
on being dropped.
• H,NYrN )'( NHa H2N YtN )'(NHCH 2OH

NON + HCHO-- NON

y
NH,
Melamine
~2

l
Resin Intermediate
polymerisation

Melamine polymer n ..
U■ea. The polymer can absorb dyes and it can be moulded unde~ pressu~es to form table wares
(Melaware), trays, crokery etc. It Is also used as ion exchange resin to punfy water. ., ~

MOLECULAR MASSES OF POLYMERS

Due to different number of monomers In the different polymer molecules the polymers have average mol. masses.
There are two types of average molecular masses of polymers, I.e.

(0 Number average molecular mass (Mn)

(II) Wetght average molecular mass (Mw)

I h st 11 Ital • Re"" Office: Aakash Tower, Plot No.•4, Sector-11, Dwarka, New De lhi•75 Ph... 011-47623456 Fax: 25084124 •
• JIV• (185)
 Polymer• Alh tiaM ecic al~
Alt lndta Medical Entrana, Exams.

s (Mn)
(i) Number average molecular mas
, M , M .•..•. respectively then
N" N2' ~-·· ·· are the number of macromolecules with molecular masses M1 2 3
If
of the polymer is given by
the number average molecular mass
Mi
(Mn )- N1M.i +N2M2 +N3M3 + ...... = !N1
N, +N2 +Na ...... ffi1 Choose the
where Ni is the number of macromolecu
les of ith type with molecular mass M.· 1. Which of J
The number average molecular mass
of molecules.present in the polymer sam
(Mn) is determined by using methods
which depend upon the run ber
ple, viz, colligative properties such as osm
ng points. The latter two methods are
otic pressure, depression
usua lly not used since the
semisynthetiJ
(1) Proteins
(3) Vt.bise
I
in freezing points and elevation in boili mea sure d accurately.
ation in boiling points are too small to
be
depression in freezing points and elev 2. Which of fle
s (Mw)
(ii) Weight average mofecular mas
romolecules with molecular mass M1,
Mz, Mr··· respectively, then (1) ~ -
If m1 , m2, ma-··· are the masses of mac
the polymer is given by
the weight average molecular mass of
(Mw ) m1M1 +m2M2 +m3M3 +...... !miMi
m1 +m2 +m3 ...... !mi
type with molecular mass Mi
But fl\ = Nl~1 where Ni is the number of macromolecules of ith
:. (Mw) !Nfv1i xM1 .t~ f
!N1M1 !~~
h depend upon the masses
) is determined by using methods whic
_Weight average molecular mass (Mw
tering, ultracentrifuge, sedimentation etc.
of individual molecules, viz., light scat
number average molecular
of weight average molecular mass and (4) 7 NH-{CHJ
Poly Dispersity Index (POI) : The ratio
x (POI), e.g.,
mas s is calle d poly dispersity inde 3. Which ci the P

POI = Mw (1) Buia-5

Mn
es of POI, polymers have NyaHf3
eity of a polymer. On the basis of valu (3)
POI is used to determine the homogen polymefS wtidt r,
been classified into two categories : 4. infuSibie arli /clTTI h
e of molecular masses
se molecules have same or narrow rang
Monodisperse polymers : Polymers who e their POI =1 (unity). Natural
these polymers, Mw = Mn and henc ~
are called monodisperse polymers. For
(1)
and hence are more homogenous.
polymers usually have PDI equal to one cular masses are called
molecules have a wide range of mole
Polyd"asperse polymers : Polymers whose POI > 1. Synthetic polymers
poly disp erse poly mer s. For thes e polymers, Mw > Mn and hence their I
usua lly hav e POI > 1 and hence
are less homogeneous.

Thus, in gene ral, monodisperse (natural) poly mers are more hqinogeneous than polycisperse
(synthetic) poiyrne,s-
I
BIOPOLYMERS . The biopotymers I,I
as b1opolymers.
found from natural resources called I
Proteins, sfaldl, nucleic acids etc are
s are non biodegradable.
are biodegiadable but majority of synthetic polymer i
. . . safe tor human f
siod egr ada bll Poly mers oxidation. Hencare one ;mp0rtant
e, j'
c hydrolysis and
.__ which can be degraded by enzymati
-n. -... are the _.. .. . h f olyesters /
•• - ,,_, _.. i.e., synthetic polymer s. Ahp a ,c P
system. Theee are also prepared artifically
clasS of biodil,adable polymers.
. d 3-hydrOxYpe
ntano ic
I
ExampleS:
(i) Pol y-hy dro xy.t ,uty ral~ ~Hy dro
acid potymeris8 to give PHBV
xy valerate (PHBV) : 3-hydroxybu
t oic acid an
an
~, ~FaX :250
. 011 --4762; ,--
84124
I
' Delhi-75 Ph--
or-11, Owarka, New
•Regd. oma,.:AakaShTower, PlolNo.-4, Se<:t
(188)
1