Polymers Flashcards
What is condensation polymerisation?
Two different monomers form a link creating a polymer chain and a small molecule is lost eg water
Which reaction creates a polyamide?
dicarboxylic acids+ diamines → polyamide + water
How is nylon 6,6 created?
1,6-diaminohexane + hexanedioic acid
What are the uses of nylon 6,6?
Clothing, carpet, rope, airbags, parachutes
How is Kevlar made?
1,4-diaminobenzene + benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid
What are the uses of Kevlar?
bulletproof vests, boat construction, car tyres and lightweight sports equipment
Which reaction creates a polyester?
dicarboxylic acids + diols
How is a Terylene made?
benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid + ethane-1,2-diol
What are the uses of Terylene?
plastic bottles, clothing, sheets and sails
Why are polyesters and polyamides biodegradable?
They can be broken down by hydrolysis. This is because of the presence of polar bonds which can attract nucleophiles and acids
Which intermolecular forces are present in polyesters and polyamides?
Polyesters have permanent dipole-dipole forces
Polyamides have hydrogen bonding(higher melting points than polyesters)
In which different ways can polymers be disposed of?
Landfill
Incineration
Recycling
What are the advantages and disadvantages of landfill?
advantages
-cheap and easy
disadvantages
- most polymers are non-biodegradable
- many landfills in the UK reaching full capacity
- leaks from landfill sites can contaminate water supplies
What are the advantages and disadvantages of incineration?
advantages
- the energy produces can be used to generate electricity
- the volume of rubbish is reduced
disadvantages
- toxins released
- greenhouse gases emitted
What are the advantages and disadvantages of recycling?
advantages
- saves raw materials
- less CO2 emissions compared to incineration
- reduces the amount of waste going into landfill
disadvantages
- collecting, sorting and processing the plastic is more expensive than burning/landfill
- the plastic can be easily contaminated during the recycling process
