Structures-of-Polymers聚合物结构.pptVIP

Structures of Polymers Introduction and Motivation Polymers are extremely important materials (i.e. plastics) Have been known since ancient times – cellulose, wood, rubber, etc.. Biopolymers – proteins, enzymes, DNA … Last ~50 years – tremendous advances in synthetic polymers Just like for metals and ceramics, the properties of polymers Thermal stability Mechanical properties Are intimately related to their molecular structure … Structures of Polymers Before introducing polymers, let me spend one or two minutes refreshing your memory about hydrocarbons Why? Most polymers are hydrocarbon (e.g. C, H) based Bonding is highly covalent in hydrocarbons Carbon has four electrons that can participate in bonding, hydrogen has only one Saturated v unsaturated Structures of Polymers Hydrocarbons have strong chemical bonds, but interact only weakly with one another (van der Waals’ forces) Isomerism – compounds of the same chemical composition but different atomic arrangements (i.e. bonding connectivity) Structures of Polymers Polymer molecules Ok, what is a polymer? Polymers are molecules (often called macromolecules) formed from a series of building units (monomers) that repeat over and over again Structures of Polymers Structures of Polymers Chemistry of polymer molecules (is cool) Basic idea of how you make polymers … Stick with ethylene Gas at STP To polymerize ethylene, typically increase T, P and/or add an initiator (more on initiators later) Structures of Polymers Polymer chemistry stereochemistry Structures of Polymers Polymer chemistry So in polyethylene (or PE) synthesis, the monomer is ethylene Turns out one can use many different monomers Different functional groups/chemical composition – polymers have very different properties! Structures of Polymers Polymer chemistry Time for nomenclature related to chemical composition If the polymer is formed from one monomer (i.e. all the repeat units are the same type) – this is called a homopolymer If the polymer is for