A polymer is a material made of long, repeating chains of molecules. The material would have unique properties, depending on the type of molecules being bonded and how they are bonded.
Some common polymers are:
- polyethene: This is the most popular plastic in the world. This is the polymer that makes grocery bags, shampoo bottles, children’s toys, and even bulletproof vests. For such a versatile material, it has a very simple structure, the simplest of all commercial polymers.
- polyvinylchloride (PVC): PVC is used in construction for pipe and in profile applications such as doors and windows.
- polytetrafloroethene (PTFE): PTFE is used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware.
Addition Polymerisation
An addition polymer is a polymer that forms by the linking of individual monomers without the generation of other by-products.
This is formed when the double bond opens up reacting with a second monomer, giving each Carbon 4 single bonds instead of 2 single bonds and 1 double bond each.
Condensation Polymerisation
In condensation polymerisation, a polymer is formed via a chemical reaction that loses a molecule of water, which would thus be a by-product.
Such a reaction can be formed when a di-functional molecule (a molecule that has two functional groups) reacts forming a polymer.
Plastics and the environment
During addition polymerisation, a new Carbon to Carbon bond is being created. Such bonds are very strong and therefore these would be difficult to break down. This means that any material created in such a reaction would take a very long time to degrade, as is the case with plastics, which makes such polymers detrimental to the environment.