Polymerisation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggh0Ptk3VGE
Plastics 101 | National Geographic
 Addition Polymers
Alkenes are monomers which join to form addition polymers

Polymers are made from monomer units. They can be –

Natural – proteins and natural rubber
Synthetic – poly(ethene) and poly(propene)

In the last 100 years, polymers have been developed such as

poly(ethene), nylon and Teflon. These polymers have
revolutionised our standard of living.

New polymers are being synthesised all the time bringing new
uses and properties
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk6h4oaArE0
Polymerisation of Ethene | Organic Chemistry
 Addition Polymerisation
Alkenes are monomers which join via addition polymerisation.
To make poly(propene), we need the Poly(alkenes) are saturated molecules, normally non-polar
monomer propene and add a few of these and hence are unreactive.
together to make poly(propene). They do not degrade well in landfill.
This is one repeat unit. Notice the Trailing bonds
double bond is not here now. extend beyond
the brackets
H CH3 H CH3 H CH3
H CH3
C C C C C C C C
H H
H H H H H H
The monomer propene: The n
double bond opens up to form ‘n’ means
This shows a repeat unit
many repeat
the polymer. of 2 monomers
units
 Plasticisers
Plasticisers are added to polymers to change their properties
Plasticisers makes polymers more flexible. This weakens the intermolecular forces between the
Plasticisers slide between the polymer chains. The chains can now slide over each other more
chains pushing them apart. and makes the polymer easier to bend.

Plasticisers are commonly used to change PVC is made from long,

the properties of PVC – poly(chloroethene) closely packed polymer
chains that are hard but
H Cl brittle. They are used in
H Cl drain-pipes.
n C C C C
PVC that has plasticiser
H H added is more flexible. It
H H
chloroethene n is used for electrical
cable insulation and
Poly(chloroethene)
clothing.
 Polyalkene Properties
Intermolecular forces govern the properties of polymers.

Most polyalkenes chains are non-polar The longer the chain and the closer they are to
so they only have van der waals forces each other the more van der waals forces you
between the chains. have.

Polymer chains which Polymers with no or Some polyalkenes have halogens e.g.
are shorter and have a very little branching Chlorine (PVC – common name
lot of branching tend and long tend to be polyvinyl chloride). They can form
to be more flexible more rigid and stronger permanent dipole-dipole
and weaker. They are stronger. They are also forces and so will have different
also known as low known as high density properties to other non-polar
density poly(ethene) poly(ethene) polyalkenes.
 Disposal of Plastics (Landfill)
Most polymers are not biodegradable so they need to be disposed of carefully.

Landfill is useful for disposing of plastics

that –
• Are too difficult to recycle
• Are too difficult to separate from other
materials
• There is not enough plastic to extract to
make it economically viable Landfill is not very sustainable as
large amounts of land is needed.
It is becoming increasingly expensive
to use land for waste disposal and
there is a need to reduce our reliance
on landfill.
 Disposal of Plastics (Recycled)
Most polymers are not biodegradable so they need to be disposed of carefully.

Most plastics are made from crude oil

which is a non-renewable source.
Recycling means reducing dependency
on crude oil for making plastics.

Other plastics can be cracked (polymer chain

broken up) into monomers to be used as an
organic feedstock for plastics or other substances Some plastics like poly(propene) can
be re-moulded into new objects.
 Disposal of Plastics (Incineration)
Most polymers are not biodegradable so they need to be disposed of carefully.

Incineration (burning) of waste plastics could be

used if the plastics can’t be recycled. The energy
from burning it can be used to generate electricity.
Though this solution would not help combat global
warming, due to CO2 production, this would help
conserve our supplies of fossil fuels.

Note: Burning plastics can release toxic fumes so these need to be monitored. Particularly
chlorine based plastics like PVC, poly(chloroethene), old name is poly(vinylchloride) which
produce harmful HCl gas when burned. Acidic gases need to be neutralised before releasing into
the atmosphere. Toxic CO may also be produced from incomplete combustion.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1yfvX3-SDY
(Plastik) | Short Film | United Nations Environment Programme