Question

Monomers polymerise to give polymers. Polymers can be classified in many ways.

a) Distinguish between homopolymers and co-polymers.

b) Give the name or formulae of the monomers in the following polymers.

i) Nylon – 6, 6

ii) Dacron

Answer 1

a) Homopolymers-Addition polymers formed by the polymerisation of a single monomeric species.

e.g., Polythene.

Co-polymers – Polymers made by addition polymerisation from two different monomers.

e.g., Buna-S, Buna-N

b) i) Nylon 6,6 – hexamethylene diamine with adipic acid

ii) Dacron – Ethylene glycol (HOH₂C-CH₂OH) and Terephthalic acid( HoocCOOH).