polymers
polymerisation
thousands of small molecules join to form a large molecule
example of synthetic polymers
nylon -polyester -polystyrene
examples of natural polymers
cellulose -proteins -keratin -collagen
types of polymerisation
addition and condensation
addition reaction
c=c bond allows molecules to add onto eachother when it breaks
addition polymers
polyethene -chlorothene -tetrafluroetheme
condensation polymerisation differences with addition polymerisation
-does not depend on c=c bonds -two different monomers are used -join at functioning groups by eleminating a small molecule resulting in polymer and another product
plastic properties
-non-conductive -unreactive -light - strong -so not burn easily
structure of polyethene polymerised at 50 degrees, 4 atm pressure and catalyst
long chains pushed closely together -high density
describe structure of polyethene polymerised at 200 degrees, 2000atm pressure and oxygen
branched chains which cannot be packed together -low density
uses of different polymers
polyethene (high density) -bowls chairs
polyethene (low density ) -plastic bags food wrap
polychloroethene -water pipes hoses
polypropene -ropes
plastics location on earth
60% landfill
24%in use
4% burned
7% recycled
the effect of plastic in landfills
-use up land -birds and animals eat it and cannot digest plastic -releases toxins
plastic in oceans
-marine life ingests plastic which causes starvation -photodegrade leading to microplastics -gets trapped where currents met creating islands
effect of burning plastic
-release of toxic chemicals -damage to heart and lungs -damage to unborn babies -fertility issues
how to tackle the plastic problem
-cut down single use plastics -burn with care -make plastic easier to degrade -recycle -reuse
how to burn plastic without damaging the surrounding area
incinerators must be used to capture gases -heat produced can heat homes -pyrolsis can also be used which is burning plastic without oxygen
how to reduce plastic in the ocean
-done litter -avoid single use plastic -reuse containers -dispose with care -use recycling schemes
proteins
natural polymers built from amino acids -functional group NH3