POLYMER

The word polymer is a Greek word ‘polumeros’ which means

many units.

polymerization

Monomer polymer
• A polymer is a long chain molecule that is formed from
small molecules linking together.
• Polymers are made from monomers.
Examples- rubber, plastics, Teflon coated cookware, etc.
Classification of polymer (according to monomer)
1.Homopolymer
2.Co-polymer
Homopolymer-It synthesized from a single type of monomer.
Example: polyethylene and PVC.
These may be represented as: -[A-A-A-A-A-A-]-
Co-polymer-It formed from two or more different types of
monomers are called copolymer. Example: Nylone-6,6
These may be represented as: -[A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B]-
Structural features of polymer
1. Linear polymer – The polymer in which monomeric units
are linked together to form long and linear chain.
 -A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-
-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-
➢ It is tightly packed.
➢ The density is high.
➢ The melting and boiling point is higher.
➢ It has a simple structure.
➢ Examples are Teflon, polypropylene, etc.
2. Branched chain polymer- These are polymers in which the
monomers are joined to form long chains with side chains
or branches of different length.
A
A
-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-
A
➢ It is loosely packed.
➢ The density is low.
➢ The melting and boiling point is lower.
➢ It has a complex structure.
➢ Examples are starch, glycogen, etc.
3. Cross-lined pr network polymer- These are polymers in
which monomer unites are cross-lined together to form a
3-dimensional network.
-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-
A
-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-
➢ Network structure
➢ Do not melt at high temperature.
➢ Examples are Bakelite.