Polymers And Their Monomer Units

Polymers a large molecules made up of a chain of smaller molecules, known as monomers. The monomers that a polymer is made up of decide its structure and therefore it's function. These monomers are linked and coiled in a very specific manor giving the polymer a specific tertiary structure (an extensively coiled and linked polymer chain caused as a result of the formation of more bonds forming). This tertiary structure is crucial to the function of a polymer as it denotes the necessary shape of the complementary molecule. This is easier explained through an example.

A monomer is a compound that can react with at least two other monomers and form polymers (Monomer). Polymers are very large molecules that are made up of repeating monomers. Polymers can be formed into linear and nonlinear structures. Most polymers consist of two or more different types of monomers (Polymer).

Plastic's end of life cycle involves being discarded, either recycled for reuse or dumped into a landfill or the ocean. Recycling's popularity has significantly grown since the 1970's, as well as the overall number of plastic products being produced. In addition, the amount of plastic products being created as significantly increased over the past 60 years. Due to the endurance of polymers, plastic is filling up landfills faster than it should and invading our natural habitats. Recycling is one of the most critical things we can do for our environment. It can cut down on the amount of plastic in landfills as well. Recycling plastic reduces the need to create more plastic, which also cuts down on oil use and pollutants being released into the air. In the time that recycling has become more popular, technology has advanced to create more job

To keep it as simple as possible, (K.I.S.S.) this topic involves the study of: 1. POLYMERS FROM PETROCHEMICALS & BIOMASS

Polymers are formed through a process of polymerisation reactions (10), the most common reaction types being addition and condensation reactions (10). In an addition polymerisation reaction (Figure 1), double-bonded hydrocarbons (alkenes) react together to break their double bonds and covalently bond to form monomers (10). Highly branched molecules have the inability to 'line up' with one another which causes an amorphous solid, which does not have a predictable arrangement or repeating pattern (10). Long-chain molecules have regular and repeating structure which causes cyrstallinity, due to the increased attraction of intermolecular forces (10). Condensation reactions occur when a hydrocarbon molecule also contains oxygen, where two functional groups containing hydrogen are present on each molecule (10). These molecules form a dimer when attached together which then combine to create a polymer, and results in a water product

30-33). Edexcel Limited. Jenkins, A., Kratochvíl, P., Stepto, R. F., & Suter, U. W. (2009). Glossary of Basic Terms in Polymer Science. Pure and Applied Chemistry , 68 (12), 2287-2311.

We found that Polypropylene was our 5th unknown. Polypropylene (C3H6) or more commonly referred to as PP, is used for labeling, packaging, textiles, and stationery. In 1957, the crystallization of polymer was discovered. Soon fabric was made from the polymer, and was in high demand. It can also be used for moldings of cars, film, tape, foam and carpet. Polypropylene can not be glued to any objects or itself, and so it is melded. After Polyethylene, Polypropylene is the highest produced synthetic plastic. Polypropylene also holds up well over time, which is one of the reasons that it is the second most produced plastic. The melting point is between 130-171 degrees celsius. Because polypropylene is tough and flexible it can be used as an engineering plastic. Finally, polypropylene can be used be manufactured into a living hinge. A

Three polymers with industrial applications were produced. Ethylene glycol and glycerol both produced polyesters with thermoplastic properties. These plastics are soft and malleable when heated, but solidify once removed from heat. Thermosetting plastics were obtained from a reaction with phthalic anhydride rather than with a carboxylic acid because it is more reactive. The reaction between phthalic anhydride and ethylene glycol produced the linear polyester. Correspondingly, the reaction between phthalic anhydride and glycerol produced a cross-linked polyester with a more rigid three-dimensional structure. Linear polyesters are characterized by each component of the reaction having only two functional groups. Cross-linked polyesters form a rigid three-dimensional structure due to more than two functional groups present in one of the monomers. As a result, the linear polymer chain becomes cross-linked to another polymer chain. Both required the removal of water in order to shift the reaction toward the desired product. Additionally,

During the 1920s, Nobel laureate Hermann Staudinger laid the groundwork for our modern understanding of polymer science. He suggested a new molecular model for polymers; one of long, chain-like molecules and not aggregates or cyclic compounds as previously thought. In 1928, his models were confirmed by Meyer and Mark. These two scientists studied the dimensions of natural rubber using x-ray techniques. By the 1930s, models were widely accepted and extensive development of synthetic polymers began in

Both natural and synthetic polymers are a vital part of our daily lives. Natural polymers are found in rubber, skin, hair etc. Synthetic polymers are found in nylon, polyester, plastic, chewing gum etc. This lab is demonstrating the properties of the common synthetic polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). It is often used as a thickener or stabilizer cosmetics but also in paper cloths, films and cements.

They do not, in fact, mean that an item can be recycled, but specifically denote which kind of plastic makes up an object. There are six codes for specific plastics, with code number seven being something of a “catch-all” for the remaining plastics and composites. Only four of these seven codes denote a plastic that can be recycled at all, and it is relatively rare for an area to recycle all four of them. Despite the efforts to simplify the process of recycling, we still waste massive amounts of recyclable material. We have improved tremendously compared to previous decades. Nationally the USA went from recycling 6.4% of solid waste in 1960 to recycling 34.1% of waste in 2010 - but we still have a very long way to go (“Stats”). These statistics beg the question “what impact have the Resin ID codes truly had on recycling?” In an effort to discern if there has in fact been a significant impact on our recycling rates, I set out to research the overall changes in recycling since these the implementation of these

Since 2009, Maria Petkova has been working in polymer. She discovered the medium in 2003, but could not find any real information on it within her home country of Bulgaria, so she did not pursue it. She explains that there was only one brand of polymer in the chain art stores, and it was very expensive. That coupled with the lack of information on the medium made her less willing to experiment with it.

43% of the plastic is wasted on a global scale by being disposed of in landfills where all it does it

Polymer is a compound consisting of long-chain molecules, each molecule made up of repeating unit connected together by a covalent bond. Most polymers are based on carbon and are therefore considered organic chemicals. Groover (2011) suggests that ?the word polymer is derived from Greek, poly and meros, meaning many and parts, respectively. Some scientists prefer to use the word macromolecules or large molecules, instead of polymer?. The polymers are created by connecting many small molecules forms together to make molecules are large. The small units are called monomers. The atoms in molecules use covalent bond to connect together; and these atoms are connected a polymer is considered to be the links of the chain. Carraher (2010) states

Though polymers are a very beneficial thing now, but In the future I believe that at the very best that they will only hold the same value to society. I say this because polymers are not a very complicated item and it would be difficult to better this technology in a drastic way. The only further advancements I see are people discovering ways to make polymers stronger, more durable and better suited for extreme and