Chemistry Online

what is Polymer Chemistry?

Public Comments

1. deals with polymers lol... plastic is a prime example
2. Part of chemistry which talks about large molecules (polymer) consists of many identical (same, although in some cases they're only similar, like in protein) small molecules (monomer). How they're formed and how they can be dissociated into their constituents. About their properties, classification, and their importance.
3. Polymer chemistry or macromolecular chemistry is a multidisciplinary science that deals with the chemical synthesis and chemical properties of polymers or macromolecules. According to IUPAC recommendations, macromolecules refer to the individual molecular chains and are the domain of chemistry. Polymers describe the bulk properties of polymer materials and belong to the field of polymer physics as a subfield of physics. * Biopolymers produced by living organisms: o structural proteins: collagen, keratin, elastin… o chemically functional proteins: enzymes, hormones, transport proteins… o structural polysaccharides: cellulose, chitin… o storage polysaccharides: starch, glycogen… o nucleic acids: DNA, RNA * Synthetic polymers used for plastics — fibers, paints, building materials, furniture, mechanical parts, adhesives: o thermoplastics: polyethylene, Teflon polystyrene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, rayon, celluloid, silicone, fiberglass… o thermosetting plastics: vulcanized rubber, Bakelite, Kevlar, epoxy… Polymers form by polymerization of monomers. A polymer is chemically described by its degree of polymerisation, molar mass distribution, tacticity, copolymer distribution, the degree of branching, by its end-groups, crosslinks, crystallinity and thermal properties such as its glass transition temperature and melting temperature. Polymers in solution have special characteristics with respect to solubility, viscosity and gelation.