The Definition of Polymers

Polymer is a Greek word and its literal meaning is a combination of poly (very) + mer (piece or pieces), which is why it is often called “Baspar” in Persian dictionaries. In fact, a polymer is a large molecule ,which are made up of a large number of smaller molecules, and these small molecules that make up a large molecule are called monomers.

Polymers may be linear, relatively branched, or have multiple internal connections. If there are internal connections, large and three-dimensional networks will be created. Most industrial polymers are organic in nature and contain carbon covalent compounds.

Other elements in polymers are included of oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, phosphorus, and sulfur, all of which can form covalent bonds with carbon at different polarities. According to the properties of covalent compounds, polymer molecules, in addition to primary covalent forces, are affected by secondary intermolecular forces , such as bipolar force between bonds or diffusion force created by the distribution of electron clouds around each atom or hydrogen bonding by Strong bipolars are placed between hydrogen atoms and so on.

To produce polymeric materials, there are different polymerization reactions with their own reaction rates. The reaction rate is also affected by the reaction space (including factors such as temperature, pressure, solvent, initiator and catalyst). The reaction space also has a significant effect on the molecular weight distribution and physical structure of the final product. Sometimes, the number of carbons in polymer chains indicates the molecular structure and physical behavior of the polymers.