Introduction to Polymer Chemistry

Abstract

Polymers are large, chain-like molecules formed by multiple reactions of small molecules whose broad ranges of properties and uses originate in the diversity of monomers, monomer combinations, and polymer architecture. Polymerization proceeds either by chain growth, where one molecule after the other is added to the growing chain, or by step growth, where two similarly large molecules react to form a long chain. Whereas polymerization in bulk seems to be the most economic and ecologic process, it is only used for step growth. Chain growth in bulk usually suffers from heat-transfer problems and incomplete conversion, leaving too much residual monomer in the final product. As a result, chain-growth polymerizations are frequently run in aqueous suspensions or emulsions, which can be directly sold as latex or easily processed to yield solid products. The properties of polymers in the solid state are mainly governed by factors that control the glass transition temperature, which represent the onset of large-scale cooperative motion of chain segments. Thus, increasing the attractive interactions between chains hampers their mobility and increases T g as well as mechanical properties. The opposite effect is called plasticization and is frequently used with poly(vinyl chloride) for the production of artificial leather.

Authors 1

1. Oliver Weichold corresponding Aachen Institute of Building Materials Research

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Building Materials Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany