Addition Polymers

Question 1

Addition polymerisation

Answer 1

• Polymers are large molecules formed from many repeat units of smaller molecules known as monomers.
• Unsaturated alkene molecules undergo addition polymerisation to produce long saturated chains w/ no double bonds.
• Addition polymers have high molecular masses.
• Synthetic polymers are named after the monomers that reacts to form it.
• Repeat unit from alkene has no double bond.

Question 2

Biodegradability of polymers

Answer 2

• Polymers are readily available and cheap to process.
• Polymers are v unreactive which can be useful e.g storing food.
• But as they are not reactive, they are difficult to dispose.

Question 3

Recycling

Answer 3

• Recycling conserves finite fossil fuels as well as decreases the amount of waste going to landfills.
• Discarded polymers are sorted by type. If polymers are mixed, it makes product unusable.

Question 4

Using waste polymers as fuel

Answer 4

• Some polymers are difficult to recycle.
• Waste products can be burned, which generates heat t hat can be used to generate electricity.
• Steam produced by heating can drive turbine producing electricity.

Question 5

Removing toxic waste products to recycle

Answer 5

• Disposal of some polymers is dangerous e.g PVC because they make toxic products when burnt e.g HCl.
• New technology uses solvents to dissolve the polymer.
• High-grade PVC is then recovered by precipitation from solvent and the solvent is used again.

Question 6

Feedstock recycling

Answer 6

• Feedstock recycling is the chemical and thermal process that can reclaim monomers, gases or oils from waste products.
• These materials can be used as raw materials.

Question 7

Benefit of biodegradable and photodegradable polymers.

Answer 7

• Bioplastics produced from plant starch, cellulose etc. offer a renewable and sustainable alternative to oil-based products.
• Biodegradable polymers are broken down by microorganisms into water, carbon dioxide and biological compounds.
• Photodegradable polymers can be chemically broken down by light.
• These two types degrade and leave no visible or toxic residues.