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Understanding Monomer Functionality in Polymers

This document discusses polymer functionality and how it relates to polymer structure. It defines functionality as the number of bonding sites on a monomer. Monomers with a functionality of two form linear polymers, while monomers with a functionality of three form 3D network polymers. Examples are given of common bifunctional monomers like ethylene that form linear polyethylene, and trifunctional monomers like phenol that form 3D polymers like phenol formaldehyde.

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Pranjal Kalita
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102 views6 pages

Understanding Monomer Functionality in Polymers

This document discusses polymer functionality and how it relates to polymer structure. It defines functionality as the number of bonding sites on a monomer. Monomers with a functionality of two form linear polymers, while monomers with a functionality of three form 3D network polymers. Examples are given of common bifunctional monomers like ethylene that form linear polyethylene, and trifunctional monomers like phenol that form 3D polymers like phenol formaldehyde.

Uploaded by

Pranjal Kalita
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Module 2: Polymer Chemistry

Functionality
Functionality
• Functionality of a monomer is the number of bonding/reactive
sites present in the monomer or,

• The functionality of a monomer is the number of sites it has for


bonding to other monomers under the given conditions of the
polymerization reaction. Thus, a bifunctional monomer, i.e.,
monomer with functionality two, can link to two other molecules
under suitable conditions. A polyfunctional monomer is one that can
react with more than two molecules under the conditions of the
polymerization reactions.

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• The double bond in vinyl monomers (CH2 = CHX) can be considered as
a site for two free valences. When the double bond is broken, two
single bonds become available for combination.
H2C=CHX → --- CH2 – CHX ------

When the functionality of monomer is two (bifunctional), linear (or)


straight chain polymer is formed.
Example for polymer: HDPE (high density polythene) -M-M-M-M-M-
M-M

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• When the functionality of monomer is three (tri-functional), three-
dimensional network polymer is formed.
• Ex: phenol, glycerol
Examples for polymers : Urea formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde.

Ethylene-F-2
Phenol-F3/4 Glycerol-F-3

Propylene-F-2
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Butadiene-F4 Polybutadiene

Acetylene-F4
Polyacetylene

Ethylene glycol-F2 Polyethylene glycol

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