BIODEGRADATION OF POLYMERS

WHAT ARE POLYMERS ?

Polymer, any of a class of natural or synthetic substances composed of very large molecules, called macromolecules, that are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers. Polymers make up many of the materials in living organisms, including, for example, proteins, cellulose, and nucleic acids. Moreover, they constitute the basis of such minerals as diamond, quartz, and feldspar and such man-made materials as concrete, glass, paper, plastics, and rubbers.

When the number of monomers is very large, the compound is sometimes called a high polymer. Polymers are not restricted to monomers of the same chemical composition or molecular weight and structure. Some natural polymers are composed of one kind of monomer. Most natural and synthetic polymers, however, are made up of two or more different types of monomers; such polymers are known as copolymers.

Classification of Polymers: Natural Vs Synthetic

NATURAL

Provides basic structural materials and participating in vital life processes. For example, the solid parts of all plants are made up of polymers. These include cellulose, lignin, and various resins. Cellulose is a polysaccharide, a polymer that is composed of sugar molecules. Lignin consists of a complicated three-dimensional network of polymers.

SYNTHETIC

Synthetic polymers are produced in different types of reactions. Many simple hydrocarbons, such as ethylene and propylene, can be transformed into polymers by adding one monomer after another to the growing chain. Polyethylene, composed of repeating ethylene monomers, is an addition polymer. It may have as many as 10,000 monomers joined in long coiled chains. Even though synthetic polymers have lots of desirable physical properties,many of them are almost non degradable

Polymers can be classified in a much broader perspective.

Properties and to which the polymer belongs in above classification depends on the monomer unit and polymerization mechanism during the synthesis process. Most novel basis of classification of polymers is the nature of bio degradability of polymers which is the key discussion point of this web page and also a hotspot in modern polymer industry research interests.

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