POLYMERISATION

This is the building of large molecules (polymer) by linking together very many small molecules
(monomers) with or without loss of small molecules such as water, ammonia etc.

Polymers are long chain molecules with recurring structural units formed by polymerization
process.

Factors that determine the properties of Polymers

➢ Chain length: Strength and melting points of polymers increase with increase chain
length

➢ Branching: Increased branching reduces the molecular strength and lowers the melting
point

➢ Cross linkage: Polymers with a cross link between the chains form a rigid network which
increases the strength.

➢ Intermolecular forces: Stronger intermolecular forces between the chains result into
higher melting points.

Types of Polymers

1. Natural Polymers

These are polymers whose formation is not controlled by man. These include Cellulose material
(Cotton, paper), Protein material (wool, silk), Natural rubber and Rayon.

2. Synthetic Polymers

These are polymers that are man made. These include Plastics and fibers, addition polymers
(polyethene, polypropene, and polyvinylchloride), Condensation polymers (Polyesters, nylon 6,
6)

Natural Rubber

Rubber is obtained naturally from rubber trees as milky liquid called latex.

Natural rubber is a polymer derived from 2-methylbut-1, 3-diene I,e

 H
CH2C CHCH
HC CCH CH2
H
CH3 CH3
n
2-methylbut-1,3-diene Natural rubber (polymer)
(monomer)

Natural rubber is very soft and of little use. It is made hard and tough by heating it with sulphur
by a process known as Vulcanisation.

Vulcanisation

This is the process of improving on the qualities of rubber by heating it with sulphur.

The sulphur atoms add to some double bonds of two neighbouring rubber molecules to form
vulcanized rubber.

The hardness of vulcanized rubber is directly proportional to the amount of sulphur added.

The following are the effects of heating natural rubber with sulphur:

➢ It improves on temperature working range

➢ It improves on toughness

➢ It improves on elasticity

➢ It improves on Bulkiness

Vulcanized rubber therefore is used for making car tyres, shoe sole, gloves and insulating electric
cables.

Synthetic Polymer

Addition Polymers

Addition Polymerization

This is the building up of a large molecule from a number of unsaturated monomers to form a
single product.

Addition polymers include:

Polyethene: These exsit in two forms i.e. High density and lower density polymer.
Low density polymer: This is formed in presence of a catalyst i.e.

200oC / O2
CH2 CH2 * CH2CH2 *
1200atm

Low density polyethene is used for making plastic bags, packing materials, electric cables,
insulators.

High density polyethene: This is formed when ethene undergoes polymerization at 60oC and 1
atmosphere. i.e.

60oC
CH2 CH2 * CH2CH2 *
1atm

High density polyethene is used for manufacture of water tanks, plastic pipes, plastic bottles,
crates, buckets and kitchen ware.

Polyethenedon’trot, insoluble in most common solvents and less dense than water.

Polyvinylchloride (PVC)

The monomer is chloroethene. Chloroethene undergoes polymerization at high pressure and

temperature in presence of peroxide i.e.

high Temp /Pressure

ClCH CH2 * CH2CH *
peroxide
n
Cl

The properties of PVC are water proof, non-degradable, not attacked and easily destroyed on
heating.

PVC is used for making plastic coats, umbrellas, electronic equipments, suitcases and insulating
electric cables.

Polypropene

This is formed from propene at 100oC and 100atmosphere in presence of peroxide.

100oC / 100atm
nCH3CH CH2 CHCH2 *
peroxide
CH3
n
Polypropene is used for making beer bottle crates, drinking straws, ropes and surfaces of all
weather football and hockey pitches.

Polystyrene / Polyphenylethene

The monomer is phenylethene. Polystyrene is used for making combs, packing materials,
ceilings and toys.

Perspex

CH3

CCOOCH3
This is an addition polymer whose monomer is H2C .

Perspex is used for making lenses, laboratory glass ware, windows of cars and airplanes,
corrugated roof lights and in packaging.

Condensation Polymers

Condensation polymerization occurs when molecules that are bifunctional or polyfunctional

react together to form a polymer and another product with small molecules.

Nylon 6,6

The monomers are diaminohexane and hexanedioic acid. It is called Nylon 6, 6 because each of
the monomers has got six carbon atoms.

O O

NH2(CH2)6NH2 + HOOC(CH2)4COOH NH(CH2)6NHC(CH2)4C * + H2O

diaminohexane Hexanedioic acid

n
Nylon 6,6

Nylon 6,6 has the following properties:

➢ It is water repellent hence dries easily

➢ It has got a hard warring tendency

➢ Insoluble in most solvents

➢ Fuses at temperatures above 200oC

Nylon 6,6 is used for making of stockings, gloves, clothes, carpets and fishing nets.

N.B. Nylon 6,10 has monomers 1,6-diaminohexane and decanedicyldichloride and it is used for
making surgical gloves, curtains , fishing nets and carpets.
 Nylon polymers are also known as polyamides since they contain the peptide bond with in
the molecule.

Polyester / Terylene

Made by condensing Ethane-1,2-diol and Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid with loss of water

molecules. i.e.

O O

HOCH2CH2OH + HOOC COOH * OCH2CH2OC C *+ H2O

n

It is used for making clothes (textiles), ropes, safety belts and tents.

Differences between Addition polymerization and Condensation polymerization

Addition polymerization Condensation polymerization

1 Addition polymers are linear Condensation polymers are non-linear

2 The monomers used are similar Monomers used are different

3 Addition polymerization can be reversed Condensation polymerization is irreversible

Advantages of Synthetic polymers over natural polymers

➢ Easier to manufacture

➢ Relatively stronger than the corresponding natural polymer

Disadvantages of Synthetic polymers over Natural polymers

➢ Non-biodegradable

➢ Its manufacture involves release of toxic fumes which cause a health hazards to Human.

Plastics

A plastic is a substance which when heated becomes soft and can be moulded into different
shapes.

Properties of Plastics

➢ Become soft on heating

 ➢ Non-biodegradable

➢ Not attacked by acids or alkali

The properties of plastics can be modified by addition of:

➢ Plasticizers: these are substances which soften and make plastics easily moulded.

➢ Dyes and pigments: used to colour plastics

➢ Fillers: are used to increase the bulk of Plastics.

Types of plastics

1) Thermosofthening plastics (Thermoplastics)

These are plastics which when heated soften and can be remoulded into different shapes. This is
because the binding forces between the polymer chains are weak and also have fewer cross-
linkages between the polymer chains (or linear pattern arrangement).

Thermoplastics include Polypropene, polyethene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride etc.

2) Thermosetting plastics (Thermosets)

These are plastics which when heated donot soften but harden and can not be remoulded in to
different shapes. This is because they are held together by much cross-linkage between the
polymer chains.

Thermosets include Bakelite used for making electric plugs, sockets and switches.

Advantages of Plastics over metals

➢ Plastics are resistant to attacks by acids, alkalis and atmospheric oxygen (corrosion).

➢ Easier to be recycled.

➢ Lighter than metals

Disadvantages of Plastics over metals

➢ Plastics items easily burn

➢ Pollutants since they are non-biodegradable