Polymers

Outline : Lecture 1
Polymers- Introduction/Definition

 Polymerisation

 Classification of polymers
 Polymers
Introduction

The word ‘ Polymer’ is coined from two Greek words: poly means many and mer means unit
or part. The word mer indicates smallest repetitive unit.

 Polymers are extremely large molecules and contribute towards an indispensable portion for our
existence.

 They are a main constituent of our food (starch, protein, etc.), our clothes (polyester, nylons, etc.), our
houses (wood cellulose, alkyd paints/oil based paints, etc.), and our bodies (polynucleic acids,
proteins, etc.).
 Polymers
Definition:

Polymers are compounds of very high molecular weights formed by the combination of a large number of small
repeating units. The repeating structural units are derived from some simple and reactive molecules known as
monomers and are linked to each other by covalent bonds.
These are also referred to as macromolecules because of their big size and being formed from smaller subunits on a large
scale.

Polymers and Macromolecules though are often used synonymously but on strict basis, a polymer contains
same subunits / repeating units (monomers), whereas a macromolecule is a giant molecule that may or may not
contain same subunits or monomer units.
DNA is a polymer formed from all nucleotides as monomers and in proteins the monomers are all amino
acids whereas triglycerides (fat) are made of glycerol backbone and several fatty acid chains.
So, all polymers are macromolecules but not all macromolecules are polymers
 Polymers
Polymerization: The process by which the simple molecules (monomers) are converted into polymers is
called polymerization
OR
The chemical reaction in which high molecular mass molecules are formed from monomers is called
polymerization
For example, many ethylene molecules combine to form a giant molecule of polythene.
Polymerisation
nCH2 CH2 CH2 CH2
n
Ethylene Polythene
(monomer) (Polymer)

where n = number of monomers in the polymeric chain.

Polyethene is both a polymer as well as a macromolecule as it contains a large number of repeating units.
 Polymers

Degree of polymerization

The number of repeating units in a polymeric chain is called ‘degree of polymerization’. In other words,
degree of polymerization is a number that indicates the number of repetitive units (monomers) present in
the polymer. DP is represented as ‘n’.

The molecular weight of the polymer can be calculated by knowing the value of DP.
[Molecular wt of the polymer] = DP × Molecular wt of each monomer.

Example: Calculate the molecular weight of the polythene polymer whose DP value is 100.
Solution: Molecular weight of the polythene = DP × Molecular weight of Ethylene
= 100 × 28 = 2800.
 Polymers

Classification of Polymers
4. Based on 1. On the basis of
polymerization origin
mechanism

2. On the basis of
5. Based on Tacticity Classification monomer composition

6. Based on molecular 3. On the basis of

forces chain structure
 Polymers
1. On the basis of origin
i. Natural Polymers- These are naturally occurring polymers existing in plants and animals. Example : Starch
(polymer of α-D-glucose), Cellulose (polymer of β-D-glucose), proteins (polymer of α-amino acids) etc.

Rubber tyres Proteins from eggs and

other foods

Cotton Natural latex from rubber tree

Rubber bands

[https://www.slideshare.net/Albairaq/polymers]
[https://www.barnwell.co.uk/content/uploads/2017/10/Natural-Polymers.jpg]

ii. Synthetic Polymers- These are prepared in the lab artificially. Example : polyethylene, polyvinylchloride,
nylon, Bakelite etc.
 Polymers
Examples: Synthetic Polymers

Polystyrene Polyester, Nylon,

Polyethylene Polyvinylchloride Polytetrafluoroethylene Lycra etc
[https://slideplayer.com/slide/3503952/]
2. On the basis of monomer composition

(a) Homopolymer: These are formed by combination of identical monomers.

nA (A)n
Examples:
Polymerisation
Polymerisation nCH2 CHCl CH2 CHCl
nCH2 CH2 CH2 CH2
n
and n
Vinyl Chloride Polyvinylchloride
Ethylene Polythene (monomer) (Polymer)
(monomer) (Polymer)
 Polymers
Copolymer :These are formed by the combination of more than one type of monomers. The general equation for
their formation can be represented as: nA + mB A A B B A B

Depending upon the arrangement of the monomeric units, further classification of copolymers is as follow:

Random copolymers: Graft copolymers:

Monomeric units arranged A A A A A A A A
randomly B
A B B A B A B A
B

Alternating copolymers: Branched copolymers

Block copolymers: Monomeric units
Monomeric units arranged The backbone is formed
arranged in blocks
alternatively A AA AA AA BB B B B B B
of one type of
A B
A A B B A A B B A A B B monomers while the
branches formed of the
Copolymers have properties different from the polymers made from either of the other types of
constituent homo-polymers, so is advantageous monomers.
 Polymers
3. On the basis of chain structure

Linear polymers: Cross-linked polymers:

Branched polymers: Monomers are
Long and straight chains Formed from bi-functional and tri- functional
joined to form long chains with side
with no other branching. monomers
chains of varying lengths. Various linear chains held together by strong
Linear polymers are well
These are irregularly packed covalent bonds to form three dimensional
packed
Have low densities network
Have higher densities
Examples: Low density polythene, Hard and rigid so do not melt rather get
Examples: High density
glycogen softened
polythene, PVC
Examples: Vulcanised rubber, Bakelite etc
(polyvinylchloride)
 Polymers

In the next session:

Classification based on polymerization mechanism

 Outline : Lecture 2
 Classification based on types of polymerization/polymerization
mechanism
• Chain polymerization / Addition polymerization
• Step growth polymerization / Condensation
polymerization
 Polymers
Classification of Polymers
Based on polymerization mechanism / Polymer synthesis

Chain reaction polymerization / Addition polymerization

 The method involves the repeated addition of monomers to produce long chains without elimination of any
by-products / successive addition of monomer molecule onto reactive ends of the growing polymer.
 Monomers must have a double or triple bond (unsaturation)
 The molecular weight of such a polymer is an exact multiple of the molecular weight of the monomer.
n (monomer) polymer
Molecular weight of polymer = n × molecular weight of monomer.

 Lewis acids or bases, radical initiators are catalysts in addition polymerization

 Polymers
Chain reaction polymerization / Addition polymerization
The mechanism of polymerization takes place in three distinct steps :

1. Chain Initiation step

• The Initiator molecule is thermally decomposed or allowed to undergo a chemical reaction to generate the active
species.
• The active species that can be free radical, cation or anion, initiates the polymerization by adding to the
monomer’s carbon-carbon double bond.
• The reaction occurs in a manner that new free radical, cation or anion is generated .

I I 2 I* Chain Initiated
I* + M (monomer) I M*

• The initial monomer becomes the first repeat unit in the incipient polymer chain.
 Polymers
Chain reaction polymerization / Addition polymerization

2. Chain propagation step

Newly generated species adds to another monomer in the same way as in the initiation step.
I M* + M I M M*

I M M* + M I M M M*

I M M M* + M I M M M M*

3. Chain termination step

The active centres are removed or they combine with each other and the chain propagation comes to an end.

I M M M* + M* M I I M M M M M I
 Polymers
Free radical polymerization of ethylene
1. Chain Initiation step
O O O

C6H5 C O O C C6H5 2 C6H5 C O

O O
H2
C6H5 C O + H2C CH2 C6H5 C O C CH2

2. Chain propagation step

O O

H2 H2 H2
C6H5 C O C CH + H2C CH2 C6H5 C O C C C CH2 etc
H2

3. Chain termination step

2R CH2 CH2 R CH2CH2 CH2CH2 R

 Polymers

General characteristics of addition / chain polymerization

1. Once initiation occurs, the polymer chain forms very quickly, i.e., 10-1 to 10-6 sec.
2. Since the carbon-carbon double bonds in the monomers are, in effect, converted to two single carbon-
carbon bonds in the polymer, energy is released making the polymerization exothermic.
3. Chain reactions normally afford polymers with high molecular weights i.e. 104 – 107
 Polymers
Condensation polymerization
• The polymerization reaction method involves series of condensation reactions (step by step), generally
involving functional groups of two monomers, with the elimination of small molecules like H2O, NH3 or HCl

• Essential condition for polymerization is the presence of 2 or more reactive groups or double bond in the
monomers
Condensation polymerization of Nylon 66

Nylon 66, a common polymeric clothing material, involving one each of two monomers, hexamethylene
diamine and adipic acid, react to form a dimer of Nylon 66.
H O O
O H
H H O
-H2O
N (CH2)6 N + C (CH2)4 C N (CH2)6 N C (CH2)4 C

H H OH OH H O
H
Hexamethylene diamine Adipic acid Hexamethylene adipamide
(Nylon 66)
 Polymers
Condensation polymerization
H O
H H O O H O At this point, the polymer could grow in either direction by
-H2O
C N (CH2)6 N C (CH2)4 C
N (CH2)6 N + C (CH2)4 bonding to another molecule of hexamethylene diamine or
H H OH OH H O
H
Hexamethylene diamine Adipic acid Hexamethylene adipamide adipic acid, or to another dimer
(Nylon 66)

Characteristics- Step Polymerization

• This process is repeated throughout the polymerization mixture until all of the monomers are converted to low
molecular weight species, such as dimers, trimers, tetramers, etc.

• These molecules, which are called oligomers, can then further react with each other through their free functional groups.

• Polymer chains that have moderate molecular weights (< 100,000) can be built in this manner. The high
molecular weights common to chain-reaction polymerizations are usually not reached. This is due to the fact
that as the molecular weight increases the concentration of the free functional groups decreases dramatically.
 Polymers
Condensation polymerization

Characteristics- Step Polymerization

• The polymer chain forms slowly, sometimes requiring several hours to several days.

• Since most of the chemical reactions employed have relatively high energies of activation, the
polymerization mixture is usually heated to high temperatures

• Branching or cross linking does not occur unless a monomer with three or more functional groups is
used.
 Polymers

Addition polymerisation Condensation polymerisation

1. The method involves the repeated addition of 1. The method involves series of condensation
monomers to produce long chains without reactions, generally involving two monomers with
elimination of any by-products the elimination small molecules like H2O, NH3 or
HCl
2. Monomers must have a double or triple bond 2. Monomers must have two similar or different
functional groups
3. The molecular weight of the resultant polymers 3. The molecular weight of the resultant polymer is
is a multiple of monomer’s molecular weight not a multiple of monomer’s molecular weight
4. Lewis acids or bases, radical initiators are 4. No such catalysts are required
catalysts in addition polymerization
5. High molecular mass polymers are formed at 5. Polymer molecular mass rises steadily
once throughout the reaction
6. Example-polyethylene, Teflon, Polyvinyl chloride 6. Example-Nylon -6, 6, perylene, polyesters.
(PVC)
 Polymers

In the next session:

Classification based on Tacticity

Classification based on molecular forces
 Outline : Lecture 3
Classification based on Tacticity

 Classification based on molecular forces

 Polymers
Classification of polymers : Based on Tacticity

Tacticity is defined as the way pendant groups (side groups/functional groups) are arranged along the
backbone chain of polymer. This refers to different atomic configurations for the same composition.

Based on the orientation of the side groups polymers can be classified as isotactic, syndiotactic or atactic
polymers: Structures of PVC as an example are described
Isotactic: Polymers in which all the side groups are arranged on the same side of main chain are called
isotactic polymers
H R H R H R H R H R H R H H H
CH2 C CH2 C CH2 C CH2 CH
R = Cl

Cl Cl Cl Cl
H H H H H H H H H H
Polyvinyl chloride
 Polymers
Syndiotactic polymers: Polymers in which all the side groups are arranged in alternating fashion
around the main chain. H R R H H R R H H R R H

R = Cl

H H H H H H H H H H

Atactic polymers: Polymers in which all the side groups are arranged randomly on main chain.
H R H R R H H R R H R H

R = Cl

H H H H H H H H H H

The isotactic and syndiotactic forms are stereoregular structures, which exhibit strong tendencies to crystallize
while atactic forms are amorphous indicating absence of crystalline order. Atactic polypropylene is gummy
solid while isotactic version is highly crystalline and tough.
 Polymers
Fischer projections

H H R
R
H H H
H
H R R H

H H H H

H R H R
H H H H

H R R H

R R R R R R H R R H H R R H H R R H
H H H H H H

R = Cl R = Cl

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
H H

Isotactic Syndiotactic
Fischer projection is not included in video lecture but is part of syllabus
 Polymers
Fischer projections

H R
H H
H R H R R H H R R H R H
H R
R = Cl
H H
R H
H H H H H H H H H H
H H
H R

Atactic
The isotactic and syndiotactic forms are stereoregular structures, which exhibit strong tendencies to crystallize
while atactic forms are amorphous indicating absence of crystalline order. Atactic polypropylene is gummy
solid while isotactic version is highly crystalline and tough.
Fischer projection is not included in video lecture but is part of syllabus
 Polymers
Classification based on molecular forces

Elastomers

Classification Thermosetting
Thermoplastics
plastics

Fibres
 Polymers
Classification based on molecular forces

Elastomers Fibres
• Held by weakest intermolecular forces •Polymeric chains are held together by
• Have elastic behavior.. strong intermolecular forces like
• Can be stretched three times to their hydrogen bonds or dipole–dipole
original length but return to their interactions.
original shape and dimension as soon as •Crystalline in nature and have high
the stretching force is removed. tensile strength.
Example-natural rubber Example-nylon 66, polyster, silk, etc.
 Polymers
Classification based on molecular forces

Thermoplastics Thermosetting plastics

• Linear, long-chain polymers generally formed by •Strong and hard polymers formed by
addition polymerisation reaction. condensation polymerisation reaction
• Get soften on heating, allowing for molding and • They do not soften on heating, hence once molded
harden again when cooled. cannot be reshaped i.e set permanently.
•There is no cross-linking between the polymeric chains • There are cross linkages and covalent bonds
as the polymeric chains are held together by weak amongst adjacent polymeric chains
vander Waals forces. •They cannot be recycled, reused or reclaimed
• Can be remolded and recycled without any change in from waste.
their chemical and mechanical properties. Example- •Example-Bakelite, melamine formaldehyde,
polyethylene, Teflon, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PMMA polyurethane
[Poly(methyl methacrylate) / Acrylic glass]
 Polymers

In the next session:

Molecular weight of polymers

Degree of polymerization (DOP)
Variation of mechanical properties of polymers with DOP
 Outline : Lecture 4
 Molecular weight of polymers (Number average and
weight average)
 Degree of polymerization (DOP) / Polydispersity
Index (PDI)
 Variation of mechanical properties of polymers with
DOP
 Polymers
Molecular weight of polymers

 All the polymeric chains in a polymer are of different lengths as the chain termination step is a random
process. Chain length is generally expressed in terms of the molecular weight of the polymer chain,
related to the relative molecular mass of the monomers and the number of monomers connected in the
chain.

In other words, polymer is a complex mixture of molecules of different molecular weights.

Based on this, polymers may be:

• Polydisperse and heterogeneous in composition

• Monodisperse and homogeneous in composition
 Polymers
Monodisperse Polymers Polydisperse Polymers
Monodisperse polymers are Polydisperse polymer is non-uniform
uniform in which all molecules and contains polymer chains of
have the same degree of unequal length, and so the molecular
polymerization or relative weight is not a single value - the
molecular mass. Many polymer exists as a distribution of
biopolymers, especially proteins, chain lengths and molecular weights.
are monodisperse.

Hence, the molecular weight is expressed in terms of average of the molecular weights contributed by all the individual
molecules present in the sample/ Polymer molecular weight is defined as a distribution rather than a specific number.
 Polymers
Molecular weight of polymers

The molar mass distribution (or molecular weight distribution [MWD]) describes the relationship between
the number of moles of each polymer species (Ni) and the molar mass (Mi) of that species.

MWD is basically the amounts of component polymers that make up a polymer. Component
polymers, refers to convenient term that establishes the fact that all polymeric materials
comprise a mixture of different polymers of differing molecular weights. The ratio of the
weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight gives an indication
of the MWD.
 Polymers
Molecular weight of polymers

i. Number average molecular weight Mn

The molecular weight of a polymer is expressed in two ways:
ii. Weight average molecular weight Mw

Number average molecular weight of polymers (Mn):

If N1, N2, N3, … are the numbers of molecules with molecular masses M1, M2, M3, …, respectively,
then the number average molecular weight is:

Total mass of the polymer

= Total number of molecules present in the sample

Where N1, N2, N3 -number of molecules, M1, M2, M3 – Mol. wts

Total mass of the polymer sample / Total number of molecules present in the sample
 Polymers
Molecular weight of polymers

Example:
Mw N
212.25 109
184.22 98
156.19 82
142.29 74

Number average molecular weight can be measured on the basis of colligative properties like lowering of vapour pressure,
depression in freezing point etc.
 Polymers
Weight average molecular weight of polymers (Mw):
•If m1, m2, m3 ,... are the weights of species with molecular masses M1 , M2 , M3 , …, respectively, then the
weight average molecular weight is:

Hence, Mw = ∑mi Mi
But mi = NiMi where Ni = number of molecules of mass Mi
∑ mi

Weight average molecular weight can be measured by light scattering measurements, viscosity measurements etc.
 Polymers
Weight average molecular weight is higher than number average molecular weight in polymers.

Compared to Mn, Mw takes into account the molecular weight

of a chain in determining contributions to the molecular weight
average. The more massive the chain, the more the chain
contributes to Mw. “Mn” the number average molecular weight,
is evaluated from the mole fraction distribution of different
sized molecules in a sample while Mw, the weight average
molecular weight, is calculated from the weight fraction
distribution of different sized molecules. Since larger molecules
https://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/polymerbasics/mw.php
in a sample weigh more than smaller molecules, the weight
average (Mw) has higher values, and is always greater than Mn.
 Polymers
Mw
Polydispersity Index (PDI)
Mn

The PDI calculated is the weight average molecular weight divided by the number average molecular weight.
•The polydispersity index or heterogeneity index is a measure of the distribution of molecular mass in a given
polymer sample.
•Indicates the distribution of individual molecular masses in a batch of polymers.
• The PDI has a value equal to or greater than 1, but as the polymer chains approach uniform chain length or as
the weight dispersion of molecules in a sample narrows, Mw approaches Mn, and in the unlikely case that all the
polymer molecules have identical weights (a pure mono-disperse sample), the ratio(i.e PDI) becomes unity.

Mn = Mw, in case all the polymer molecules are of identical molecular weight
 Polymers
Mechanical properties of polymers

For the practical applications of polymer, it is of great relevance to be familiar with some its basic mechanical
properties such as:
• how much it can be stretched?
• how much it can be bent?
• how hard or soft it is?
• how it behaves on the application of repeated load
• threshold molecular weight and so on.
The properties of a polymer like tensile strength, impact resistance, resistance to cracking and melt flow
viscosity are related to molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of a polymer.
In other words, DOP has direct impact on these properties whereas properties like density, refractive index,
solubility are independent of molecular weight.
 Polymers
Mechanical properties of polymers

Threshold molecular weight is the minimum molecular weight that a polymer must attain to develop the properties
needed for a particular application. Therefore, polymerization process should be controlled after certain stage depending
upon the application.
• Low molecular weight polymers – Brittle and possess less mechanical strength
• High molecular weight polymers – Tough and non-flexible, cannot be easily
handled

Degree of polymerization

The number of repeating units in a polymeric chain is called ‘degree of polymerization’. In other words, degree of
polymerization is a number that indicates the number of repetitive units (monomers) present in the polymer. DP is
represented as ‘n’.
 Polymers
Mechanical properties of polymers

Tensile strength of a polymer

Strength of a polymer refers to stress (force applied divided by the cross-sectional area of the material) necessary to break the
sample. The various types of strength in context of polymers are : tensile (stretching of the polymer), compressional
(compressing the polymer), flexural (bending of the polymer), torsional (twisting of the polymer), impact (hammering) and so
on.

Tensile strength is a measure of the stress needed to break a

material by stretching. Tensile strength is important for a material
that is going to be stretched or under tension.
OR

Tensile strength is material’s ability to resist tearing. An example of tensile strength is how much force can be put on a
material before it tears apart.
 Polymers
Impact Resistance

Impact resistance is generally mistaken as impact strength, when in fact it is not about strength at all. Strength
refers to a force while impact resistance is an energy; it is the energy required to break the sample in two or
more pieces.
In other words
It is a measure of the ability of a material or manufactured article to withstand the suddenly applied load
without "failure". It may also be defined as the threshold of force per unit area before the material undergoes
fracture. Impact resistance is therefore a complex function of geometry, environment (thermal and
chemical), material properties such as molecular structure, molecular weight (distribution), chain
length, packing, tacticity, alignment and bonding forces.
.
The near-instantaneous implementation of load causes the material to absorb the energy. When the amount of energy
exceeds that which it can accommodate, the material will experience fracture, tear, or damage.
 Polymers
Variation of Tensile strength, Impact resistance and Melt flow viscosity with DOP

•Tensile strength and impact resistance increase with increase in

degree of polymerization upto a point after which slow increase is
there.

The strength of the polymer rises with increase in molecular weight and reaches the saturation level at some value of the
molecular weight
• At lower molecular weight - the polymer chains are loosely bonded by weak van der Waals forces and the chains can
move easily, responsible for low strength,.
• At higher molecular weight - the polymer chains become large and hence are cross linked. Due to cross linking motion of
the chains is restricted imparting strength to the polymer. The higher degree of entanglement allows the material to be
pulled further before the chains break
 Polymers
Variation of Tensile strength, Impact resistance and Melt flow viscosity with DOP

A high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution enhances the impact resistance of the
material. A greater degree of entanglement means that in order to rupture, more polymer bonds need to be
broken, this means that the polymer can absorb more energy before failing.
 Polymers
Variation of Tensile strength, Impact resistance and Melt flow viscosity with DOP

The melt viscosity of a polymer at a given temperature is a

measure of the rate at which chains can move relative to each
other. This will be controlled by the ease of rotation about the
backbone bonds, i.e. the chain flexibility, and on the degree of
entanglement.

• Melt flow viscosity initially increases slowly, then rapidly after the polymer has attained a certain degree
of polymerization,
• A high molecular weight increases the viscosity of the material making it harder to process the material
using conventional methods. The longer the chains, the harder it is to get them to flow because they are
more tangled.
 POLYMERS -III
• Conducting Polymers

• Inorganic Polymers

• Biodegradable Polymers
 CONDUCTING POLYMERS
Development of polymers from electrical insulators to electrical conductors

Generally, polymers like polyethylene, PVC, Teflon etc., are poor conductors as these are
held by single covalent bonds. The sigma-bonds in such polymers have low mobility of
electrones and does not contribute to the electrical conductivity of the material. Thus,
these are good insulators.
Some polymers, under certain conditions, have electrical conductivities comparable to
that of metallic conductors due to delocalized π electrons. Such polymers are called
CONDUCTING POLYMERS.
 CONDUCTING POLYMERS
However, conjugated bonds do not
render polymeric materials to be
highly conductive.

To enhance their conductivity a

dopant needs to be added that
either generates a free electron or a
hole, as in case of semiconductors.

Thus, depending upon which

dopant has been added,
Conducting Polymers can be p-
Type or n-Type
 CONDUCTING POLYMERS
p-Doping: An electron-deficient species
(Lewis acids) like FeCl3, I2 vapours or
I2/CCl4 is added in the conjugated system to
induce oxidation and thus generate a
positive charge. Thus, a radical cation or a
hole is generated that when moves through
the doped conjugated system causes
electrical conduction.
CONDUCTING POLYMERS
n-Doping: An electron-rich species
(Lewis bases) like napthyl radical
anion is added in the conjugated
system to induce reduction and thus
generate a radical anion. Thus, a
radical anion or an electron is
generated that when moves through
the doped conjugated system causes
electrical conduction.
 CONDUCTING POLYMERS
Applications
• Replacement of Metal Conductor : Conducting Polymers have replaced
conventional metalic conductors due to their light weight and comparable
conductivities in electronic devices.
• Chemical Sensors : Conducting polymers, such as polypyrrole, polyaniline,
polythiophene and their derivatives, have application as gas sensors.
• Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) : Conducting Polymer coated polymer
sheets for PCBs are inexpensive and have better adhesive properties
compared to metallic conductors coated with epoxy resins.
• Rechargeable Batteries : The capability of repeated oxidation and reduction
of CPs make them eligible for rechargeable batteries as compated to
conventional Ni-Cd Cells.
• Numerous other applications such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), in Display Device
 CONDUCTING POLYMERS
Development of polymers from electrical insulators to electrical conductors

Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2000)

For the discovery and development of conducting polymers

Alan J. Heeger Hideki

Shirakawa
Alan G.
Macdiarmid
 INORGANIC POLYMERS
• Most of the polymers have a backbone of carbon.

• The polymers in which backbone of the carbon is replaced by silicon, phosphorous

or any other inorganic atom are called Inorganic Polymers.
R R R
Si Si O P N
R n R n R n
Polysilanes Polysiloxanes Polyphospazenes

• Inorganic Polymers offer properties different from Organic Polymers

Nonflammabilit Low Temperature Electrical Conductivity
y Flexibility
 BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS
All natural polymers are biodegradable
Polymers produced by nature are called Natural Polymers
• Proteins - have monomer unit as Amino Acids
• Starch & Cellulose - have Glucose as monomer unit.
• DNAs – have Nucleic acids as monomer unit.
Why natural polymers are biodegradable ?
All natural polymers are biodegradable because nature has all the enzymes to
degrade them. The enzymes, also called biocatalysts, are present in soil, water
and all the living organisms.
How about synthetic polymers also being degraded by biocatalysts
(enzymes)?
 BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS
How about synthetic polymers also being degraded by biocatalysts (enzymes)?
Yes, this may be possible only if a synthetic polymers also same chemical
linkage as that of natural polymers like ester, amide bond or a glycosidic bond.
H H2 H H2
O C C C O C C C

CH3 O CH2 O
Polylactic acid
(PLA) CH3
n
is DEGRADABLE
but PHBV
This synthetic polymer has a Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)
peptide linkage that can be NOT
BIODEGRADABLE The synthetic polymer has an ester
hydrolyzed by same enzymes linkage that can be hydrolyzed by living
polymer
that degrade a protein in the organisms & the products of hydrolysis
nature. further metabolized by soil microbes.
 BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

Naturally Biodegradable Synthetic Biodegradable

Starch, Cellulose, Proteins, DNA Nylon-2-nylon-6, PHBV
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Polylactic acid

Applications
• POTENTIAL : These polymers have the potential to replace all available polymers
• FOOD PACKAGING INDUSTRY: Single use disposable materials
• MEDICAL APPLICATION: Slow release of medicine & in the hygiene products
Thank You