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Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

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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...
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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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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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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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...
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Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

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Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...
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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
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Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

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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.
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Updated: Aug 2, 2025

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
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Renewable, Degradable, and Recyclable Polymer Composites.

Aleksander Hejna1

  • 1Institute of Materials Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznań, Poland.

Polymers
|April 13, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Plastic pollution necessitates a shift to a circular economy within the polymer sector to reduce environmental harm. This transition aims to minimize the ecological footprint of plastics globally.

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science and Engineering
  • Environmental Science and Policy

Background:

  • Pervasive global plastic pollution demands innovative solutions.
  • The polymer industry faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices.

Discussion:

  • Transitioning to a circular economy model is crucial for mitigating plastic pollution.
  • Circular economy principles offer a framework for reducing the environmental impact of polymers.

Key Insights:

  • The polymer sector is actively exploring circular economy strategies.
  • Reducing environmental impact is a primary driver for this industrial shift.

Outlook:

  • Further research and implementation of circular economy models are essential.
  • This shift is vital for the long-term sustainability of the polymer industry and the planet.

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