Question

Name and briefly describe the four general types of molecular structures found in polymers.

Answer 1

Linear Polymers : Bifunctional monomers are joined together end-to-end in a single chain. They are generally thermoplastic and soluble in water except for very high molecular weight compounds.

Branched Polymers : Side-branch chains are connected to the main chain.

Cross-linked Polymers : Adjacent linear chains are joined one to another at various positions through covalent bonds. They are formed with small addition of trifunctional monomer as impurity in a bifunctional monomer.

Network Polymers : Trifunctional mer units form 3-D networks instead of linear chain framework