Chloe Zhang
Plastics are polymers, and polymers are large molecules made by linking together many smaller molecules called monomers. The most important interatomic bond in polymers and, indeed, in organic chemistry, is the covalent bond. In a covalent bond, the outer electrons of some atoms are close enough to overlap and are shared between the nuclei, forming a strong bond. The ability for molecules to form long chains is vital to producing polymers. Plastics are easily formed materials, which is advantageous for manufacturers as plastic products can be mass-produced.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bonding examples | Covalent bond formation |
| Polymer structure | Two carbon atoms can have up to three common bonds and still bond with other atoms |
| Elements found in polymers | H, F, Cl, Bf, I, O, S, N, C, Si |
| Thermoplastics | Linear chain molecules with weak secondary bonds between the chains |
| Thermosets | Linear chain molecules with strong primary bonds between adjacent polymer chains |
| Van der Waals bonds | Occur in all materials but are particularly important in plastics and polymers |
| Deformation of thermoplastics | Elastic and plastic |
| Ionic bonds | Donation of an electron by one atom to another |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic is a polymer, but not all polymers are plastics
Polymers are organic materials composed of long chains of carbon atoms, with each carbon atom having four electrons in its outer shell. These electrons can form covalent bonds with other carbon or foreign atoms. The ability of molecules to form long chains is essential for the production of polymers. For instance, ethane gas (C2H6) consists of two carbon atoms, each sharing two valence electrons with the other. When two molecules of ethane are combined, a carbon-to-carbon bond is formed, resulting in a linear polymer. This polymerisation process can be halted by adding a terminator chemical to fill the available bonds.
Plastics, as a subset of polymers, share similar characteristics. For example, thermoplastics, a type of plastic, are also composed of long chains of molecules. However, these chains are entangled rather than bonded together, allowing thermoplastics to be melted and reformed upon heating. The bonds between the molecules in thermoplastics are typically weak secondary bonds, such as van der Waals forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonding.
The distinction between plastics and non-plastic polymers is crucial, especially in the fields of research, design, and production. Non-plastic polymers, such as cellulose, proteins, and cotton, possess unique properties that set them apart from everyday plastics. These polymers can exhibit resilience, low wear, and excellent performance, even in challenging conditions. For instance, Thordon's engineered polymers are designed to function seamlessly in wet environments and are tailored to meet specific application requirements.
Therefore, while it is accurate to classify plastics as polymers, it is important to recognise that the term "polymer" encompasses a much broader range of materials, including both synthetic and natural polymers, each with its unique characteristics and applications.
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Plastics are made from long-chain molecules
Plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics. Polymers are long chains of repetitive units composed of carbon atoms, with each carbon atom having four electrons in the outer shell. These valence electrons can form covalent bonds with other carbon atoms or foreign atoms. The key to the polymer structure is that two carbon atoms can have up to three common bonds and still bond with other atoms. This ability for molecules to form long chains is vital to producing polymers.
The most important interatomic bond in polymers, and in organic chemistry in general, is the covalent bond. In a covalent bond, the outer electrons of some atoms are close enough to overlap and are shared between the nuclei, forming a strong primary bond. Each pair of electrons is called a covalent bond.
Thermoplastics, a type of plastic, are linear chain molecules with weak secondary bonds between the chains. Thermoplastics can be remelted because the bonds between the molecules can be easily broken when heated. Thermosets, on the other hand, are another type of plastic made from long-chain molecules that bond together strongly. Thermosets cannot be remelted and remain rigid and non-flexible even at high temperatures.
The molecules in plastics are not generally straight but are tangled masses, similar to a bowl of spaghetti. When thermoplastics are heated, there is more molecular movement, and the bonds between molecules can be easily broken. This is why thermoplastics can be remelted and reformed.
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The outer electrons of some atoms are shared between nuclei in covalent bonds
Plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics. Polymers are long chains of carbon atoms, formed by linking together many smaller molecules called monomers. Each carbon atom has four electrons in its outer shell, and each of these valence electrons can form a covalent bond with another carbon atom or a foreign atom.
In a covalent bond, the outer electrons of some atoms are close enough to overlap and are shared between the nuclei, forming a strong primary bond. Each pair of electrons is called a covalent bond. The ability for molecules to form long chains is vital for the production of polymers.
For example, consider the material polyethylene, which is made from ethane gas (C2H6). Ethane gas has two carbon atoms in the chain, and each of these carbon atoms shares two valence electrons with the other. When two molecules of ethane are brought together, one of the carbon bonds in each molecule can be broken, and the two molecules can be joined with a carbon-to-carbon bond. This process can continue, linking more molecules together until it is stopped by the addition of another chemical. This creates a linear polymer, which is the building block for thermoplastic polymers.
Thermoplastics are linear chain molecules with weak secondary bonds between the chains. When thermoplastics are heated, the bonds between molecules can be easily broken, which is why thermoplastic materials can be remelted and reformed. Thermosets, on the other hand, are made from long-chain molecules with strong primary bonds between adjacent polymer chains, giving them a rigid 3D structure. Once a thermoset has been moulded, it cannot be reformed.
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Plastics can be thermosets or thermoplastics
Plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics. The key difference between thermosets and thermoplastics is how the materials behave during the curing process. Thermosets strengthen when cured but form chemical bonds that make them impossible to remould. Thermosets are made from long-chain molecules that bond together strongly when the plastics are made. This means that they cannot be remelted and remoulded. Thermosets will often degrade before melting when exposed to excess heat. Thermosets generally have greater physical properties than thermoplastics, but they are less heat resistant and cannot be recycled.
Thermoplastics, on the other hand, do not form any chemical bond when curing, making them remouldable and recyclable. Thermoplastics are physically transformed with the application of heat and can be heated, cooled, and reshaped repeatedly without altering their chemical structure. Thermoplastics start as plastic pellets that are evenly heated to transform into a liquid and processed by compression or injection moulding and extrusion to the desired shape. Thermoplastics are made from long-chain molecules that are entangled but not bonded together, allowing them to be melted and reformed. Thermoplastics have better impact strength compared to thermoset materials and are more environmentally friendly, but they are less cost-effective and have a relatively low melting point.
The most important interatomic bond in polymers, and in organic chemistry in general, is the covalent bond. A polymer is an organic material, and the backbone of every organic material is a chain of carbon atoms. Each of these carbon atoms has four electrons in the outer shell, and each of these valence electrons can form a covalent bond with another carbon atom or a foreign atom. The covalent bonds within the molecules are very strong and only rupture under extreme conditions.
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Covalent bonds are strong primary bonds
Plastic is a polymer, and polymers are formed through primary covalent bonds. Primary chemical bonds are defined as the bonds that hold the atoms of a molecule together. They are formed through interactions between electrons in the outermost shell of two atoms, resulting in a more stable state.
The most important interatomic bond in polymers, and in organic chemistry in general, is the covalent bond. A polymer is an organic material, and the backbone of every organic material is a chain of carbon atoms. The carbon atom has four electrons in the outer shell. Each of these valence electrons can form a covalent bond with another carbon atom or a foreign atom. The ability for molecules to form long chains is vital to producing polymers.
Thermoplastics are linear chain molecules with weak secondary bonds between the chains. They are made of long-chain molecules that are entangled but not bonded together. This means that they can be melted and reformed. Thermoplastics can be reheated and remoulded, unlike thermosetting polymers.
Thermosets, on the other hand, are made of long-chain molecules that bond together strongly when the plastics are made. They have a rigid 3D structure and cannot be remelted or reformed.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics are polymers, and the most important interatomic bond in polymers is the covalent bond. In a covalent bond, the outer electrons of some atoms are close enough to overlap and are shared between the nuclei, forming a strong bond.
Primary bonds are the bonds that hold the atoms of a molecule together, formed through interactions between electrons in the outermost shell of two atoms, resulting in a more stable state. The three main types of primary bonds are ionic, covalent, and coordinate bonds.
Polymers are large molecules made by linking together many smaller molecules, called monomers. They are organic materials with a backbone of carbon atoms.
Examples of polymers include polyethylene, polylactic acid (PLA), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Plastics are easily formed materials that can be mass-produced, providing an advantage to manufacturers. They can also be recycled, although the tonnage of waste plastic that is returned to the material cycle is relatively small.
