4.
1 POLYMER
1. Polymer is a large molecule that is in the form of a long chain with a
high relative molecular mass (RMM).
2. It is made up of many smaller units called monomers, which are
joined together through a process called polymerisation. Thus, the
monomer is actually the repetitive unit of a long polymer chain.
3. There are two sources of polymers:
Synthetic polymers
Natural polymers
Natural Polymers
These occur naturally and can be obtained from our surroundings.
Some examples of natural polymers are:
1. Natural rubber
2. Protein in meat, leather, silk, hair and fur
3. Carbohydrates in cellulose, starch and sugar
Natural polymers are made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and
oxygen.
Synthetic Polymers
Synthetic polymer is a polymer that is manufactured in industry from
chemical substances through the polymerisation process.
Examples of synthetic polymers are:
1. plastics
2. synthetic fibres
3. elastomers
Type of Polymer
Polymerisation Reaction
Polymerisation is the process of joining together the large number of
monomers to form a polymer.
There are 2 types of polymerisation process
a. addition polymerisation
b. condensation polymerisation
Addition Polymerisation
Polymerisation by addition involves monomers with >C = C< bonding, where
the monomers join together to make a long chain without losing any simple
molecules from it.
Condensation Polymerisation
Polymerisation by condensation involves the elimination of small
molecules like water, methanol, ammonia or hydrogen chloride during
the process.
Examples of products of this process are terylene and nylon-66.
The Use of Polymer in Daily Life
Synthetic polymers are used in various aspects of life as they possess
properties that cannot be found in natural polymers.
Nylon
Acrylic polymer for roof waterproofing
Polypropylene
Polyethene
Characteristic of Synthetic Polymers
Good insulator of heat
Inert and unreactive
Lightweight, strong and hard
Resistant to high heat
Polymers and the Environment
When the polymeric wastes are introduced to marine environment they are
rapidly broken down into smaller particulates. The tiny plastic particles are
ingested by sea organisms and results in the intestinal blockage in larva
fishes. These not only toxic for sea organisms but tend to bioaccumulate in
the food chain. Thus, water pollution occurs.
4.2 NATURAL RUBBER
Natural rubber is polyisoprene in which monomer units are of isoprene i,e 2-
methyl-1,3 butadiene. Natural rubber is obtained in the form of solid particles
suspended in a milky white liquid (called latex) that drips from the bark of
certain tropical and subtropical trees. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber.
Products from Natural Rubber
Coagulation of Latex
Coagulation Process of Latex
Latex Coagulation Prevention
Vulcanisation of Rubber
Vulcanization is a chemical process in which the rubber is heated with sulphur,
accelerator and activator at 140–160°C. The process involves the formation of
cross-links between long rubber molecules so as to achieve improved
elasticity, resilience, tensile strength, viscosity, hardness and weather
resistance.
Alternative Vulcanisation Methods
There are three types of alternative vulcanisation method for natural rubber
that can be utilised to produce vulcanised rubber without using sulphur.
Alternative vulcanisation method:
Peroxide
Irradiation
Metal oxide
Properties of Vulcanised Rubber
4.3 SYNTHESIS RUBBER
Synthetic rubber is an elastomer or polymer which regains its size
original shape after being pulled or pressed. [Natural rubber is an
elastomer too.
Most synthetic rubber produced as by-products of petroleum.
Examples of synthetic rubber are neoprene and styrene-butadiene
(SBR).
Uses and Characteristic of Synthetic Rubber
Uses of Synthetic Rubber and the Environment
Synthetic rubber is not eco-friendly either. The collection of crude oil also
creates habitat destruction, and the production of rubber from crude oil
creates air pollution and is a major contributor to climate change.
Vehicles tyres are among the products of synthetic rubber that needs to
be disposed of in large quantities while natural rubber takes a short time
to disposed biologically.
REFERENCE
Form 5 Biology Textbook KSSM
https://syntheticblackclouds.weebly.com/blog
https://spmchemistry.blog.onlinetuition.com.my/2012/09/
synthetic-rubber.html
https://www.flexiprep.com/NIOS-Notes/Senior-Secondary/
Chemistry/NIOS-Chemistry-Lesson-31-Soap-Detergents-and-
Polymers-Part-5.html
https://www.srilankabusiness.com/blog/uses-advantages-of-
natural-rubber.html
