Maya Ellison
Plastics are organic polymers derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. The monomers that make up polymers are formed from chains of carbon atoms, with or without the attachment of oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms. These carbon chains contain hydrogen atoms, making plastics organic molecules. The production of plastics involves the distillation of crude oil to separate it into fractions, which are then polymerized to form long polymer chains. While synthetic plastics are derived from fossil fuels, bio-based plastics come from renewable products such as carbohydrates, fats, and oils.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are organic molecules | Organic molecules are molecules containing carbon-hydrogen bonds, typically forming carbon chains or rings |
| What are plastics made from | Plastics are derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt and, of course, crude oil |
| How are plastics made | The production of plastics begins with the distillation of crude oil in an oil refinery. This separates the heavy crude oil into groups of lighter components, called fractions. One of these fractions, naphtha, is the crucial compound for the production of plastics. Two main processes are used to produce plastics – polymerisation and polycondensation |
| What are polymers | Polymers are larger molecules formed by covalently joining many monomer-units together in the form of chains |
| What are monomers | Monomers are the small molecules that are joined together to form polymers |
| What are hydrocarbons | Hydrocarbons are chemical compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen |
| How are hydrocarbons formed | Hydrocarbons can be derived from crude oil, natural gas and coal – fossil fuels |
| What are the issues with plastic | Insects and bacteria are unable to degrade plastic, leading to plastic waste accumulating in landfills and oceans. Plastic also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions |
| What is being done to address the issues with plastic | Scientists and engineers are working on innovative solutions, including the discovery of plastic-eating microbes and fungi. Engineers are also exploring cost-effective ways to recycle plastics |
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What You'll Learn
Organic molecules are made from carbon
Organic molecules are fundamental to life and are found in all living things. They are composed of carbon, which acts as the "backbone" of these molecules. Carbon has unique properties that make it ideal for this role. With an atomic number of 6, carbon atoms have four electrons in their outermost shell, allowing them to form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms. This versatility enables carbon to serve as the basic structural component of organic molecules, which are typically larger and more complex than inorganic molecules.
Organic molecules are found in a diverse range of natural compounds produced by plants and animals, such as sugars, alkaloids, terpenoids, and certain nutrients like vitamin B12. They are also present in synthetic compounds derived from petrochemicals, including plastics. Plastics are organic polymers composed of various elements, most commonly carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and chlorine. These polymers are formed from long chains of carbon atoms, often with attached side chains of other elements, which determine the specific properties of the plastic.
The versatility of carbon is further demonstrated by its ability to form organic compounds through the carbon cycle. This natural process begins with autotrophic organisms converting carbon dioxide and water into simple sugars and other organic molecules through photosynthesis or alternative energy sources. Additionally, organic compounds can be synthetically produced from petrochemicals, which are themselves formed from the high-pressure and temperature degradation of organic matter over geological periods.
While the term "organic" in chemistry refers to carbon-containing compounds, it does not imply that these compounds are always natural or derived from living things. Certain carbon-containing substances, such as alloys like steel, are typically excluded from the definition of organic compounds. Nevertheless, the presence of carbon remains a defining characteristic of organic molecules, and their complex structures and reactivity make them essential to life on Earth.
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Plastics are organic polymers
The monomers are the basic building blocks of polymers. They are created through the refining process that transforms crude oil into different petroleum products. Crude oil is heated in a furnace and sent to a distillation unit, where heavy crude oil separates into lighter components called fractions. One of these fractions, naphtha, is crucial for making plastic.
Plastics can be synthetic or natural. Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal, while biobased plastics come from renewable products such as carbohydrates, fats, and oils. Most plastic in use today is synthetic and comes from hydrocarbons derived from these fossil fuels.
Organic polymers play a crucial role in living things, providing basic structural materials and participating in vital life processes. For example, the solid parts of all plants are made up of polymers such as cellulose, lignin, and various resins. Other important natural polymers include proteins, which are polymers of amino acids, and nucleic acids, which carry genetic information in the cell and are polymers of nucleotides.
Plastics can be classified by the chemical process used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking. They can also be classified by their physical properties, including hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and glass transition temperature.
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Plastics are derived from crude oil
Crude oil is a source of raw material (feedstock) for making plastics, but it is not the major source of feedstock for plastics production in the United States. Petrochemical feedstock naphtha and other oils refined from crude oil are used as feedstocks for petrochemical crackers that produce the basic building blocks for making plastics.
Plastics are high-molecular-weight organic polymers composed of various elements, such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine. They can also be produced from the silicon atom (known as silicone) along with carbon. Plastics are lightweight, durable, easy to produce, and have a variety of properties that have made modern life much easier and more sanitary.
To produce a high-molecular compound, it is necessary to first produce low-molecular compounds and bond them together. This reaction is known as polymerization, with the low-molecular compounds known as "monomers" and the high-molecular-weight substance known as a "polymer." The word “mono” means "single," while “poly” means "multiple." The formation of polymers from monomers uses heat, light, and additives such as enzymes (polymerization initiators).
The structure of these side chains influences the properties of the polymer. Plastics are usually classified by the chemical structure of the polymer's backbone and side chains. Important groups classified in this way include the acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics.
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Fossil fuels are used to make plastics
The fossil fuels used to make plastics include crude oil, natural gas, and coal. These fossil fuels are mainly composed of hydrocarbons, which are molecules of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons can be derived from crude oil through a process called refining, which involves heating crude oil to high temperatures to break it down into simpler hydrocarbons. These simpler hydrocarbons, such as ethane and propane, can then be used as feedstock for the production of plastics.
The specific amounts and origins of the feedstocks used to manufacture plastics are often unknown, as the petrochemical industry has a high degree of flexibility in the feedstock it consumes. However, it is estimated that over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. The deep connection between the fossil fuel and plastic industries has led to concerns about the environmental impact of plastic production and the potential undermining of efforts to combat the growing plastic crisis.
In addition to the environmental concerns, there are also controversies associated with the additives used in plastics. Some of these additives, such as flame retardants and heavy metals, can be harmful to human health and the environment. The burning of plastic waste can also release hazardous substances, such as acid gases and ash, which contain persistent organic pollutants.
While fossil fuels are currently the predominant source of feedstock for plastic production, there are alternative sources being explored, such as biobased plastics derived from renewable products like carbohydrates, fats, and oils.
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Plastics are made from monomers
Plastics are synthetic polymeric materials derived from petroleum. They are made through a polymerization or polycondensation process, which involves refining oil and natural gas to form gases like ethane and propane. These gases are then heated to form monomers, which are then combined to form polymers.
Monomers are individual molecules that, when combined, form a polymer. The term "monomer" comes from the Greek "mono", meaning "one", and "meros", meaning "part". These molecules are the building blocks of plastics and are crucial in the polymerization process. By understanding monomers and their behaviour, engineers and manufacturers can produce useful products that consumers want.
The chemical composition and size of monomers determine how the resulting polymer interacts with its environment. For example, varying the type of monomer can significantly alter a plastic's tensile strength, or how much the material can stretch before breaking. Monomers can also influence the thermal stability of a polymer, with some polymers able to withstand high temperatures without deforming. This is an important property for plastics used in high-temperature applications such as cooking utensils or car parts.
The monomers used to make plastics influence their characteristics, such as durability, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion. For instance, PVC and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, commonly used in construction and infrastructure projects, derive their durability, flexibility, and corrosion resistance from the monomers used in their production. Similarly, the monomers used to produce polycarbonate and various acrylates result in transparency, durability, and the ability to withstand sterilization processes, making them essential for manufacturing medical equipment.
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Frequently asked questions
Organic molecules are molecules that contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, typically forming carbon chains or rings.
Plastics are derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil.
The production of plastics begins with the distillation of crude oil in an oil refinery, separating the heavy crude oil into lighter components called fractions. One of these fractions, naphtha, is crucial for plastic production. The two main processes used to produce plastics are polymerisation and polycondensation. In polymerisation, monomers such as ethylene and propylene are linked together to form long polymer chains.
