SEMINAR ON

POLYMER SCIENCE

PRESENTED BY:
KANTILAL B. NARKHEDE
M.PHARM.1st SEMESTER

DEPT. OF P’CEUTICS,
1
SND COLLEGE OF PHARMACY.
 CONTENT:

 Introduction
 Types of Polymer
 Classification
 Polymerization
 Molecular weight determination
 Thermal characterization
 Pharmaceutical Applications
 Bio degradable polymers
 Application of biodegradable polymers
 References.
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 INTRODUCTION
Definition :

A polymer is a large molecule (macromolecule)

composed of repeating structural unit connected by covalent chemical
bonds.

- The word is derived from the Greek words (poly), meaning

"many"; and (meros), meaning "part"
Example:- Butadiene, poly-vinyl-chloride etc.

- They are complex and giant molecules and are different from
low molecular weight compounds.

-`Macro-molecules’ are made up of much smaller molecules. 3

 Types Of Linking In Polymers

 Linear Polymers:
A polymer in which the molecules form long
chains without branches or cross-linked
structures.
examples: nylon, polyester, PVC etc.

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Branched Polymer:

A polymer chain having branch points that connect

three or more chain segments.
Examples: polythene, glycogen, starch etc

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 Cross linked Polymer:
Cross-links are bonds that link one polymer chain
to another. They can be covalent bonds or
ionic bonds.
Examples: malamine formaldehyde resin etc

 Linear & Branched Polymers are know as thermoplastic materials.

 Cross linked Polymer are know as thermosetting materials. 6

 Classification of Polymers
(According to their properties & characteristics.)

1) Natural and Synthetic Polymers.

2)Organic and Inorganic Polymers.
3)Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymers.
4)Plastics, Elastomers, Fibers, and Liquid Resins

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1. Natural and Synthetic Polymers:

Natural Polymers Synthetic Polymer

-Cotton -Polyethylene
-silk -PVC
-wool -Nylon
-rubber

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 2) Organic and Inorganic Polymers:

 A Polymer whose backbone chain is essentially made of carbon

atoms is termed an Organic polymer.

Examples- cellulose, proteins, polyethylene, nylons.

 A Polymer which does not have carbon atom in their

backbone chain is termed as Inorganic polymer.
Examples- Glass and silicone rubber

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 3) Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymer :

 Some polymer are soften on heating and can be converted into

any
shape that they can retain on cooling.

 Such polymer that soften on heating and stiffen on cooling are

termed as `thermoplastic’ polymers.

Ex. Polyethylene, PVC, nylon, sealing wax.

 Polymer that become an infusible and insoluble mass on

heating are called ‘thermosetting’ polymers.
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4)Plastic, Elastomers, Fibers and Liquid Resins:

 A polymer is shaped into hard and tough utility articles by

application of heat and pressure, it is used as ‘plastic’
e.g. PVC

 When vulcanized into rubbery products exhibiting good

strength and elongation, polymers are used as ‘Elastomers’
e.g. Natural rubber

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 polymerization
 Polymerization is a process of bonding monomer, or
“single units” together through a variety of reaction
mechanisms to form longer chains named Polymer

 As important as polymers are, they exist with

monomers, which are small, single molecules such as
hydrocarbons and amino acids

 These monomers bond together to form polymers. The

process by which these monomers bond is called
polymerization 12
 Types of polymerization
• Addition polymerization
• Condensation polymerization

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 • Addition polymerization

• A carbon – carbon double bond is needed in

the monomer
• A monomer is the small molecule that makes
up the polymer.

H H
H H high pressure/trace O2
n C C C C
catalyst
H H H H n
ethene
poly(ethene)
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 Addition polymerisation
• The polymer is the only product.
• Involves the opening out of a double bond.
• The conditions of the reaction can alter the
properties of the polymer.
• Reaction proceeds by a free radical mechanism.
• Conditions are high pressure and an oxygen
initiator.
• Oxygen often used to provide the initial free
radical.
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 • Condensation Polymerisation
• Involves 2 monomers that have different
functional groups.
• They also involve the elimination of water or
another small molecule.
• Hence the term condensation polymer.
• Monomer A + Monomer B  Polymer + small
molecule (normally water).
• Common condensation polymers include
polyesters (the ester linkage) and polyamides
(the amide linkage as in proteins).
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 Condensation Polymeization

• The example here is terylene, a polymer of

benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2-
diol.
O O
n HO C C OH + n HO CH2 CH2 OH
heat with
an acid
catalyst

O O
C C O CH2 CH2 O
• hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh + nH2O
n

poly(ethan-1,2-diyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate) 17
• Molecular weight determination
• There are two ways to calculate the
average molecular weight:

1. Number Average Molecular Weight

2. Weight Average Molecular Weight

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 • Molecular weight determination
1. Number Average Molecular Weight
• Molecular weight is determined by calculating the total
molecular weight of monomer and total number of
monomer.

Mn 
NM i i

N i

• Mi- total molecular weight of monomer.

• Ni- number of monomer molecules.
• Mn- number average molecular weight. 19
 • Molecular weight determination
2. Weight Average Molecular Weight

Mw 
NM M i i. i

N M i i

• M w - weight average molecular weight.

• Mi- total molecular weight of monomer.
• Ni- number of monomer molecules.
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 Thermal characterization
• Thermal analysis of the polymers is the
important phenomenon to study the stability
and degradation of polymers.

Method :-
a) TGA
b) DSC

c) Thermo mechanical analysis

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THERMOGRAVIMETRICAL ANALYSIS
(TGA)
• This method provides indication for thermal
stability and upper limit of thermal degradation
where loss of sample begins.

• This method only measures loss of volatile content

from the polymer.

• This method has limitation that it can not detect

temperature at chain cleavage of chain takes
place.

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Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
• parameters measured-
1. Glass transition temperature (Tg)
2. Crystalline melting point
3. Heat of fusion
4. Heat of crystallization

• It requires placing of Reference and test sample for

the continuous monitoring in the heating chamber.

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Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

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 Thermo Mechanical Analysis
(TMA)

• This method is used for determination of

deformation of polymer sample as a function of
temperature placed on platform in contact with
probe.

• It measures transition from glassy to a rubbery

polymer and gives idea about softening
temperature.

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26
 APPLICATIONS IN
PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRY
• Mainly used for drug delivery.
– As a coating material
examples: Hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose(HPMC),
Methyl cellulose,
Propylene glycol.
– As a binders in tabletting granulation
examples: Acacia, Gelatin, Sodium alginate.
– As a disintegrants
examples: starch,HPMC
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 APPLICATIONS
– As a thickening agent in suspension and
ophthalmic preparations
Example: methyl cellulose.
– To form bases in ointments.
– In hard and soft capsule gelatin is used.
– Gelatin also used as suppository base, as an
emulsifying agent and suspending agent.

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 APPLICATIONS
– For microencapsulation polymers are used.
Examples: Ethyl cellulose, Gelatin, Acacia,
Polyvinylpyrrolidone etc.
– Biodegradable polymers are used nowadays in drug
delivery.
Examples: polyesters, proteins, carbohydrates.
• In packaging material polymers are widely used
Examples: polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride,
polyolefin etc.

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 BIO DEGRADABLE POLYMER
• Material progressively releasing dissolved
or dispersed drug, with ability of
functioning for a temporary period and
subsequently degrade in the biological
fluids under a controlled mechanism, in to
product easily eliminated in body
metabolism pathway.

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 BIO DEGRADABLE POLYMER
• Biodegradable polymers can be classified in two:

1. Natural biodegradable polymer

examples: xanthum gum, gaur gum, chitosan, chtin etc.

2. Synthetic biodegradable polymer

examples: Polyanhydrides, Poly(ß-Hydroxybutyric Acidc) etc.

• Synthetic biodegradable polymer are preferred more than the

natural biodegradable polymer because they are free of
immunogenicity & their physicochemical properties are more
predictable &reproducible 31
 ADVANTAGES OF BIODEGRADABLE
POLYMERS IN DRUG DELEVERY
• Localized delivery of drug

• Sustained delivery of drug

• Stabilization of drug

• Decrease in dosing frequency

• Reduce side effects

• Improved patient compliance

• Controllable degradation rate

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 APPLICATIONS
 Wound management
– Sutures

 Orthopedic devices
– Rods
– Screws Staples
– Ligaments
– Pins

 Tissue engineering

 Dental applications
• Guided tissue regeneration Membrane
• Void filler following tooth extraction
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 REFERENCES
• Govariker V. R., Viswanathan N. V., Sreedhar J., “Polymer Science”,
New age publications, 263 .
• Jain N.K., Controlled and novel drug delivery, CBS Publisher,New delhi,
27-49.
• Martin A., Swarbrick J., Commarata A., Physical pharmacy,
K.M.varghese company, Bombay, 592-636.
• Biodegradable Polymer as drug delivery system; “Synthetic
polysaccharides”; edited by-Mark Chasin, Robert Langer Vol-
45; Page No-43-49,71-90,121-160.
• http://en..wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymers. 34
 REFERENCES
• Sinko P.J.,Physical pharmacy and
pharmaceutical sciences, fifth edition,
lippincot williams & wikins co., 585-627.

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THANK
YOU

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