What is Synthetic Polymer ?

Synthetic Polymer is a Industrially produced chemical substances consisting of a number of molecules linked together with covalent bonds. Examples include plastics, synthetic fibres such as synthetic rubber.

Natural Polymers • Natural polymers are polymers produced by living

organisms. Since they are polymers, biopolymers contain monomeric units that are covalently bonded to form larger structures. There are three main classes of biopolymers based on the differing monomeric units used and the structure of the biopolymer formed: polynucleotide, which are long polymers composed of 13 or more nucleotide monomers; polypeptides, which are short polymers of amino acids; and polysaccharides, which are often linear bonded polymeric carbohydrate structure

In this microstructure of DNA is a pair of Natural Polymers,Polynucleotides, forming the double helix found in DNA

Uses of Synthetic Polymer in our daily life

Some familiar house-hold synthetic polymers include Nylons in textiles and fabrics, Teflon in non-stick pans, Bakelite for electrical switches, polyvinyl chloride in pipes, etc. The common PET bottles are made of a synthetic polymer, polyethylene terephthalate. The plastic kits and covers are mostly made of synthetic polymers like polythene and tires are manufactured from Buna rubbers. However, due to the environmental issues created by these synthetic polymers which are mostly non-biodegradable and often synthesized from petroleum, alternatives like bioplastics are also being considered. But they are expensive when compared to the synthetic polymers.

Monomers in the Synthetic Polymer

The identity of the monomer residues (repeat units) comprising a polymer is its first and most important attribute. Polymer nomenclature is generally based upon the type of monomer residues comprising the polymer. Polymers that contain only a single type of repeat unit are known as homopolymers, while polymers containing a mixture of repeat units are known as copolymers. Poly(styrene), for example, is composed only of styrene monomer residues, and is therefore classified as a homopolymer. Ethylene-vinyl acetate, on the other hand, contains more than one variety of repeat unit and is thus a copolymer. Some biological polymers are composed of a variety of different but structurally related monomer residues; for example, polynucleotides such as DNA are composed of a variety of nucleotide subunits.A polymer molecule containing ionizable subunits is known as a polyelectrolyte or ionomer.

Advantages and disadvantages use of polymers

1. Synthetic polymers are widely used today . One of the great advantage of using synthetic polymer is that they can be made to have special properties required for their uses .

2. They are relatively cheap , easy to be moulded or shaped and can also be coloured.

3. Synthetic polymers are very stable and do not corrode or

decay. However, this also means they are difficult to dispose.4. They are not easily biodegradable .Hence , they may cause

pollution , blockage of drainage system and flood .5. When they are burnt , they give out harmful and poisonous

gases which have a pungent smell .

Justify the use of synthetic polymer in our daily life

1. Although synthetic polymers pose environmental problems, we can still continue using them in a wiser manner .

2. We should reduce , reuse and recycle synthetic polymers as much as possible . The use of biodegradable polymers should be encouraged . We should also find alternatives for synthetic polymer .