A polymer is a giant molecule formed from many repeating monomers.
Monomers are small molecules that join to form polymers.
Alkene monomers join together without producing another substance.
Produced from ethene by opening the double bond.
The repeating section inside a polymer chain.
Two monomers join while releasing a small molecule such as water.
A polyamide produced from a diamine and dicarboxylic acid.
A polyester produced from a diol and dicarboxylic acid.
Natural polyamides formed from amino acids.
Landfill, ocean pollution and toxic gases from burning plastics.
PET can be chemically recycled into monomers.
| Addition Polymerisation | Condensation Polymerisation |
|---|---|
| Uses alkenes | Uses two functional groups |
| No by-product | Water/small molecule formed |
| Poly(ethene) | Nylon, PET |