Synthetic Polymers | Organic Chemistry | Chemistry | FuseSchool

FuseSchool - Global Education
23 Dec 201506:16
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis lesson introduces synthetic polymers, which are human-made materials like plastics derived from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. It covers various types, including polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), highlighting their applications and recyclability. The script also emphasizes the growing importance of biodegradable polymers like PLA and PGA, which are derived from renewable resources and have sustainable benefits for the environment.

Takeaways
  • 🧪 Synthetic polymers are human-made and differ from natural polymers, which are produced by living organisms.
  • 📦 Plastics are a category of synthetic polymers derived from monomers sourced from crude oil, a non-renewable resource.
  • 🔬 Crude oil fractions can be cracked to form alkenes, which serve as monomers for synthetic polymers like polyethene (polyethylene).
  • 🌳 The density of polyethene polymers can be high or low, depending on the degree of branching in their structure.
  • 🧬 Polypropylene is made from propene monomers, while PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is derived from vinyl chloride monomers.
  • 🧠 The monomer for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is tetrafluoroethylene, which can be predicted from the polymer's name.
  • 🍽 Polystyrene is synthesized from styrene monomers and is commonly used in food packaging and insulation materials.
  • 🩹 PVA glue and the adhesive on stamps are both forms of polyvinyl acetate, a synthetic polymer with adhesive properties.
  • 💉 Ethyl cyanoacrylate polymerizes to form super glue, which is significantly stronger than PVA glue.
  • 🌿 PLA (poly lactic acid) is a biodegradable and renewable polymer derived from lactic acid produced by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates.
  • 🍾 Recyclability of synthetic polymers like PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is crucial for reducing waste and environmental impact.
  • 🧬 PLA is also used in medical applications, such as dissolvable stitches, due to its biodegradable nature.
  • 🌱 There is a growing interest in developing recyclable and biodegradable synthetic polymers to mitigate the environmental effects of mass production.
Q & A

  • What are synthetic polymers?

    -Synthetic polymers are human-made polymers created in factories, as opposed to natural polymers which are produced within living organisms.

  • Why are plastics considered a broad term?

    -Plastics is a broad term because it encompasses a wide range of polymers made from monomers derived from crude oil.

  • Why is crude oil classified as a non-renewable resource?

    -Crude oil is non-renewable because it cannot be grown or produced; it is a finite resource that we extract from the earth.

  • What is the relationship between alkenes and synthetic polymers?

    -Alkenes, obtained from the cracking of crude oil fractions, serve as monomers for the synthesis of various synthetic polymers.

  • What is polyethene, and what is it also known as?

    -Polyethene, also known as polyethylene, is a polymer made up of ethene monomers.

  • How does the degree of branching affect polyethene polymers?

    -The degree of branching affects whether the polyethene polymers are high or low density, with more branching leading to lower density.

  • What is the monomer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)?

    -The monomer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is tetrafluoroethylene.

  • What is polystyrene used for, and where might you encounter it?

    -Polystyrene is synthesized from styrene monomers and is used in various applications, including as white cups in food packaging materials.

  • What is the significance of the recycling symbol on soft drink bottles?

    -The recycling symbol on soft drink bottles indicates that they can be broken down into their respective monomers and re-polymerized, promoting recycling and waste reduction.

  • What is poly lactic acid (PLA), and why is it significant?

    -Poly lactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and renewable polymer made from lactic acid, which is obtained from the bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates like corn or sugarcane.

  • How can synthetic polymers like PLA be beneficial in the medical field?

    -PLA can be used as dissolvable stitches in the medical field, which naturally degrade over time, eliminating the need for their removal.

  • What is the environmental impact of not recycling synthetic polymers?

    -If synthetic polymers were not recyclable, the accumulation of waste from plastic containers and packaging materials would pose a serious environmental and social issue, especially with the growing global population.

Outlines
00:00
🛠️ Synthetic Polymers and Their Applications

This paragraph introduces synthetic polymers, which are human-made materials unlike natural polymers. It explains that plastics, derived from crude oil—a non-renewable resource—are a type of synthetic polymer. The script delves into various types of synthetic polymers such as polyethene (with high or low density variations), polypropylene, PVC, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It also mentions polystyrene and its uses in food packaging and shipping. The paragraph highlights the environmental impact of non-recyclable synthetic polymers and introduces poly lactic acid (PLA) as a biodegradable and renewable alternative. It concludes with the potential benefits of recyclable and biodegradable synthetic polymers for the environment.

05:00
🌿 Biodegradable and Recyclable Polymers

The second paragraph expands on the theme of environmental sustainability by discussing biodegradable and recyclable synthetic polymers. It mentions poly lactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid, which have real-life applications, such as medical sutures that dissolve over time and the potential for decomposing food containers. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of reducing waste impact through the use of such polymers and ends with a call to action for increased interest in sustainable synthetic polymers to mitigate the environmental effects of mass production.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Synthetic Polymers
Synthetic polymers are human-made materials created through chemical processes rather than occurring naturally within living organisms. They are central to the video's theme as they represent a significant class of materials derived from non-renewable resources like crude oil. The script discusses various synthetic polymers, such as polyethene and polypropylene, illustrating their production from monomers and their applications in everyday life.
💡Natural Polymers
Natural polymers are large molecules that occur naturally and are typically found in living organisms. They contrast with synthetic polymers in the video's narrative by highlighting the difference between materials produced by nature and those created by humans. Although not extensively discussed, the term sets the stage for understanding the origin and properties of synthetic polymers.
💡Plastics
Plastics are a broad category of synthetic polymers derived from monomers that originate from crude oil. The video uses the term to encompass a wide range of materials, emphasizing their ubiquity and the importance of understanding their production and environmental impact. Plastics are highlighted as a major component of the script's discussion on synthetic polymers and their recyclability.
💡Non-renewable Resource
A non-renewable resource, such as crude oil, is a natural resource that cannot be replenished on a human timescale once it is consumed. The video script uses this term to explain the origin of many synthetic polymers, highlighting the environmental concerns associated with the use of such resources and the need for sustainable alternatives.
💡Monomers
Monomers are the small molecules that can chemically bond together to form polymers. In the context of the video, monomers are the building blocks of synthetic polymers, such as ethene for polyethene or vinyl chloride for PVC. Understanding monomers is crucial for grasping the chemical composition and properties of various synthetic polymers.
💡Polyethene (Polyethylene)
Polyethene, also known as polyethylene, is a synthetic polymer made from ethene monomers. The video script discusses different types of polyethene, such as high-density and low-density polyethylene, which differ based on the degree of branching in their molecular structure. This term is used to illustrate the diversity of synthetic polymers and their various applications.
💡Branching
Branching refers to the presence of smaller chains that extend from the main polymer chain, similar to branches on a tree. The script uses this term to explain the structural differences between high-density and low-density polyethene, where low-density polyethene has more branching. Branching is a key concept in understanding the properties and uses of different polymers.
💡Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is a synthetic polymer made from vinyl chloride monomers. The video mentions PVC as an example of a widely used polymer in various applications, emphasizing the broad spectrum of synthetic polymers and their roles in modern society.
💡Polystyrene
Polystyrene is a synthetic polymer derived from styrene monomers and is used in various forms, such as white cups in food packaging and expanded polystyrene for shipping protection. The video script uses polystyrene to illustrate the versatility of synthetic polymers in consumer products and packaging materials.
💡Recyclability
Recyclability refers to the ability of a material to be processed and reused, reducing waste and environmental impact. The video script discusses the recyclability of certain synthetic polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used in soft drink bottles, emphasizing the importance of recycling in mitigating the environmental consequences of mass production.
💡Biodegradability
Biodegradability is the property of a material to break down naturally due to the action of living organisms, such as bacteria or fungi. The video script highlights biodegradable synthetic polymers like poly lactic acid (PLA), which can be derived from renewable resources and have applications in medical fields and as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics.
💡Poly lactic acid (PLA)
Poly lactic acid, or PLA, is a biodegradable and renewable synthetic polymer made from lactic acid, which is obtained through the fermentation of carbohydrates. The video script presents PLA as an innovative material that can be used in packaging and medical applications, such as dissolvable stitches, illustrating the potential for more sustainable synthetic polymers.
Highlights

Synthetic polymers are human-made, unlike natural polymers, and are produced in factories.

Plastics are a broad term for synthetic polymers derived from crude oil monomers.

Crude oil is a non-renewable resource, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives.

Fractional distillation of crude oil produces fractions that can be cracked to form alkenes, precursors to synthetic polymers.

Polyethene, also known as polyethylene, is a polymer of ethene monomers with varying degrees of branching.

Polypropylene is a polymer of propene monomers, differing in structure from polyethene.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a polymer of vinyl chloride monomers, used in various applications.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is synthesized from tetrafluoroethylene monomers.

Polystyrene is synthesized from styrene monomers and is commonly used in food packaging.

Expanded polystyrene is utilized in packaging and shipping to protect contents from damage.

Regular school glue or PVA glue is a synthetic polymer made from vinyl acetate monomers.

Ethyl cyanoacrylate polymerizes to form super glue, a very strong adhesive.

Soft drink bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate, which is recyclable.

Recycling synthetic polymers reduces waste in landfills and is crucial for environmental sustainability.

Poly lactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and renewable polymer derived from lactic acid.

PLA is used in medical applications, such as dissolvable stitches, due to its biodegradability.

Polyglycolic acid is another synthetic polymer with real-life applications and biodegradability.

The potential for recycling and biodegradation of synthetic polymers could greatly reduce environmental impact.

There is an increased interest in recyclable and biodegradable synthetic polymers for sustainable development.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Synthetic PolymersPlasticsPolyethyleneRecyclingBiodegradablePolylactic AcidMedical UseEnvironmental ImpactSustainabilityIndustrial Chemistry