化学专业基础英语I12章高分子化学术语文本.docVIP

高分子化学术语 Polymer Chemical Terms 12.1Polymers Polymers，or macromolecules，are produced when large number of smaller molecules (monomers) are bonded together. A thermoplastic polymer (or plastic) softens when heated and resolidifies when cooled. The majority of common synthetic polymers have molecular masses between 1 X 104 and 1 X 106 a and contain several hundred to several thousand monomers. The physical properties of a polymer are determined by such factors as the flexibility of the macromolecules，the sizes of the groups attached to the polymer chains，and the magnitude of intermolecular forces. Polymers may be linear or branched;if the branches of one polymer chain are covalently bonded to other chains，the polymer is said to be cross一linked. Thermoset polymers are crosslinked polymers that are permanently rigid;they do not melt when heated. A homopolymer is formed by poiymerization of a single type of monomer，a copolymer by the polymerization of two or more different monomers. Most polymers are either amorphous or semicrystalline. At low temperatures an amorphous polymer is rigid and brittle. At the glass transition temperature，Tg，the flexibility of the polymer increases markedly. Rigid plastics are used at tempeatures below Tg，flexible plastics at temperatures above T,. To participate in polymerization，a molecule must be able to react at both ends. The principal types of polymerization reactions are chain reaction polymerization and step reaction polymerization. 12. 2 Natural Polymers The unique properties of living things are in many ways the result of the properties of polymers. We now know that many of the molecules of biochemistry are macromolecules. Two natural polymers-cellulose and rubber-were the first polymers to be put into commercial use. Each had to be structurally modified to achieve useful properties. 1. Cellulose The repeating unit in natural cellulose is a ring structure with numerous hydroxyl groups which provide strong hydrogen bonding between the