Polymer Properties and Structure College of DuPage聚合物结构与性能杜佩奇大学.pptVIP

Polymer Properties and Structure The age of the plastic fantastic Learning objectives Describe basic features of a polymer Name three steps in the addition polymerization process Distinguish between addition and condensation polymerization Describe essential features of condensation polymerization Identify polymerization process used on basis of polymer composition Polymers are large molecules made by concatenation of many small units Building blocks are monomers A polymer may contain thousands of monomers and have a molar mass of hundreds of thousands Homopolymer – the monomers are identical Copolymer – the monomers are different (2 or more) Monomer A monomer must be capable of forming two bonds to generate a chain A double bond meets that requirement Two main synthetic approaches Addition polymerization Simply adding monomers together – synthetic plastics Condensation polymerization Combination by exclusion of a small molecule (usually water) – extensively used by nature Reactive radical to initiate the process Radicals are reactive – contain unpaired electrons Odd + even = odd: unpaired electron survives Addition polymerization has three steps C2H4 is stable – does not spontaneously change into polyethylene – requires severe conditions Initiation – create reactive species by formation of free radical (unpaired electron) Propagation – As chain grows by addition of C2H4 units, the radical is preserved Termination – radicals eliminated when they meet Polymer properties tuned by modifying added groups Density Polarity Chain branching Cross linking Chain length Structure is function HDPE: the strands pack closely together LDPE: branches prevent close packing Polymers have revolutionized containers and other household items Common addition polymers cont’d Condensation polymers: another route to making chains Two types of monomer required – each capable of making two bonds Bonding occurs between them by elimination of components of water OH + H = H2O Lower temper