Title of Presentation
Polymers – Introduction & Classification
Dr. Kiran Patil
SVKM’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule
DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, LONERE (M.S.)
Learning Objectives
After successful completion of session students are able to -
Define Polymer – Level 1
Discuss about type of Monomers – Level 2
Distinguish between Polymer types – Classification
Determine the inter relationship class of Polymer – Level 4
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Definition
• Polymer (pɒlɪmər/ Greek poly-, "many" + -mer, "part") is a substance or material consisting of very large
molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits.
• Polymers, both natural and synthetic, are created via polymerization of many small molecules, known as
monomers.
Synthetic Polymer
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Homochain • Same atoms I I
–C–C–
polymer eg. carbon, silicon, sulfur I I
Heterochain • Different atoms are covalently I I
–C–S–
polymer bonded I I
Polyvinylpyrrolidone
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TERMINOLOGIES
A monomer is a small molecule that combines with other molecules of the same or
1. Monomers
different types to form a polymer.
2. Dimer Two monomers are attached to each other to form Dimer.
3. Trimer Three monomers are attached to each other to form Trimer.
4. Tetramer Four monomers are attached to each other to form Tetramer.
5. Pentamer Five monomers are attached to each other to form Pentamer.
6. Oligomer It contains 30 to 100 monomeric units.
7. Polymer More than 200 monomeric units are attached in Polymer.
8. Degree of Polymerization No of monomeric units participate in reaction is known as Degree
of polymerization.
Dr. Nayan Ashok Gujarathi, Assistant Professor, SVKM IOP Dhule 5
CLASSIFICATION
POLYMER
HOMOPOLYMER CO-POLYMER
Random Alternate Block
Copolymer Copolymer Copolymer
If one type of monomer is involved, the process is called polymerization and the product
Homopolymer is a Homopolymer. E.g polyethylene, polyvinylpyrollidone etc.
Random If the reactivities of two monomers are similar, there will be no preference for which
Copolymer monomer is added next so polymer that is formed is called as Random copolymer.
Alternate When one monomer is preferentially added to another monomer, the monomers are
Copolymer added to each other alternatively and the polymer is called as Alternate copolymer.
Two different type of monomer having high reactivity towards themselves are
Block Copolymer preferentially add to form a long chain of single unit followed by long chain of another
is called as Block copolymer. e.g. Pluronic surfactant (EO-PO)
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GRAFT COPOLYMER
Graft Copolymer : Monomer and a polymer are generally used to make graft copolymers.
The physical and chemical properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) can be changed by grafting various
monomers such as acrylic acid, acrylamide, and acrylonitrile onto the cellulose backbone.
Polymer blends are simply made by physical blending of two different polymers in molten or in solution
state. The blend is either solidified at lower temperature if prepared by melting or recovered at higher
temperature if prepared in solution.
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Classification – Structure of Polymer
Linear
Topology
Structure of
Branched
Polymer
Cross Linked
Linear Polymer:
• Not chemically attached with each other
• Instead Weaker intermolecular forces exist
• Dual Behavior
• Move freely which offers the polymer a low melting temperature.
• Increase in crystallinity and melting temperature.
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Branched polymers
• Short or Long side groups
• Steric hindrance induced by the side groups
• Weaker intermolecular forces, which apparently help them move freely
• Display better solvent permeability compared to its linear counterpart due to its side groups
• Gum Arabic is a highly branched polymer with very high solubility in water.
Cross-linked polymers
• The chains are chemically linked – Cross linking agent
• Very highly cross-linked polymers are very rigid structures
• Degrade at high temperatures before their chains start to move
• Solubility will be sacrificed at the expense of swellability
• Inversely related to the amount of cross-linker
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References
1. Martin’s Physical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sixth Edition, Patrick J. Sinko,
[Link]. 888 -915
2. [Link]
3. Iakovlev, V.; Guelcher, S.; Bendavid, R. (August 28, 2015). "Degradation of polypropylene
in vivo: A microscopic analysis of meshes explanted from patients". Journal of Biomedical
Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials. 105 (2): 237–248.
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Questionnaire
• Define Polymer. Explain the following terminologies – Trimer, Pentamer, Oligomer and Degree of
Polymerization
• Give classification of polymer on the basis of types of monomer
• Describe in brief about Alternating copolymer and Block copolymer.
• Classify Polymer on the basis of structure or topology of polymer.
• Discuss in detail brief about Graft copolymer.
• Describe in brief about branched and cross-linked polymer.
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