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Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Recently, the development of olefin metathesis polymerization advanced the field of polymer synthesis. Simply put, the reorganization of substituents on their double bonds between two olefins in the presence of a catalyst is known as the olefin metathesis reaction. The use of metathesis reaction for polymer synthesis is called olefin metathesis polymerization.
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists...

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization or ROMP involves strained cycloalkenes as starting materials. The mechanism of ROMP proceeds by reacting cycloalkene with Grubbs catalyst to give metallacyclobutane intermediate which undergoes a ring-opening reaction to form new carbene. The new carbene reacts with another molecule of cycloalkene. Repetition of these steps leads to the formation of an unsaturated open-chain polymer product. All these steps are reversible, however, relieving the ring...

Polymers

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

Recycling and Resource Recovery from Polymers.

Sheila Devasahayam¹, Raman Singh¹, Vladimir Strezov²

¹Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.

|May 28, 2022

Summary

By 2030, over 100 million tonnes of plastic waste will pollute our environment. This research addresses the urgent need for effective plastic waste management solutions to mitigate environmental damage.

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The Effect of Construction and Demolition Waste Plastic Fractions on Wood-Polymer Composite Properties

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Last Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

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Published on: November 30, 2020

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Published on: December 16, 2022

The Effect of Construction and Demolition Waste Plastic Fractions on Wood-Polymer Composite Properties

The Effect of Construction and Demolition Waste Plastic Fractions on Wood-Polymer Composite Properties

Published on: June 7, 2020

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Materials Science
Chemical Engineering

Background:

The escalating accumulation of plastic waste poses a significant global environmental threat.
Projections indicate over 100 million tonnes of waste plastics entering the environment by 2030.
Current waste management strategies are insufficient to handle the scale of plastic pollution.

Discussion:

Investigating novel approaches for plastic waste reduction and recycling.
Analyzing the environmental impact of different plastic types and their degradation pathways.
Exploring the potential of advanced materials and chemical processes for sustainable plastic management.

Key Insights:

Highlighting the critical need for immediate and scalable solutions to plastic waste.
Emphasizing the interconnectedness of plastic pollution with ecosystem health.
Identifying key areas for technological and policy interventions.

Outlook:

Forecasting future trends in plastic waste generation and environmental persistence.
Suggesting pathways for circular economy models in the plastics industry.
Recommending integrated strategies for global plastic pollution mitigation.