Addition polymer (/əˈdɪʃ(ə)n pəˈlɪmə/) is a type of polymerization process where monomers are added to a growing polymer chain one single unit at a time. The spelling of addition polymer is based on the word "addition," which is pronounced with a schwa sound ('ə') in the second syllable. Similarly, the word polymer is pronounced with emphasis on the 'poly-' prefix, followed by a schwa sound and a clear 'mer' sound. The IPA phonetic transcription helps to understand the exact pronunciation of this scientific term.
Addition polymer refers to a type of polymerization reaction in which monomers undergo chemical bonding to form a chain or network polymer by the sequential addition of atoms or groups of atoms without the formation of any byproducts.
In an addition polymerization process, monomers that contain double or triple bonds react with one another in a chain reaction through an addition reaction, resulting in the formation of a polymer without the elimination of any small molecules. The monomers simply add together to form a long chain molecule with repetitive units.
The reaction occurs when the double or triple bonds in the monomers are activated by an initiator, such as heat, ultraviolet light, or a catalyst. The activated bonds react with one another by breaking the original π-bonds and forming new covalent bonds, leading to the growth of the polymer chain. As more and more monomers add to the chain, the polymer grows in length.
Addition polymers have a wide range of applications due to their versatility and diversity in terms of their mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. Common addition polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These materials are widely used in various industries, including packaging, construction, automotive, textiles, and electronics.
Overall, addition polymers are formed through a straightforward and efficient chemical process that results in the creation of large, complex molecules with diverse properties, making them essential components in many aspects of modern life.
The word "addition polymer" is derived from the Latin word "additio", which means "increase" or "addition", and the Greek word "polymeros", which means "having many parts" or "many units".
The term "addition" in "addition polymer" refers to the polymerization process in which monomers join together to form a polymer by the addition of a new repeating unit to the growing chain. This process occurs through a reaction in which the double or triple bonds within the monomers are broken, allowing the polymer chain to grow.
The term "polymer" refers to a large molecule made up of repeating subunits called monomers. In the case of addition polymers, the monomers have reactive functional groups that enable the addition of new monomer units to the growing polymer chain.