Question

(a) What is addition polymer? Give example.
(b) What is PHBV? How is it useful to man?

Answer 1

(a) An addition polymer is formed by chain growth polymerization. The addition polymer contains all atoms of monomers. The monomers are alkenes. Examples of addition polymers include Orlon, Teflon, PVC, Polythene etc. .
Thus, polymerisation of vinyl cyanide gives Orlon
$nC{H}_2=C\left(CN\right)H\stackrel{polymerization}{\to }-[-C{H}_2-C(CN)H-]{-}_n$
Similarly, polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene gives teflon.
$nC{F}_2=C{F}_2\stackrel{polymerisation}{\to }-[-C{F}_2-C{F}_2-]{-}_n$
(b) PHBV is a copolymer. It is polyhydroxy butyrate -CO- $\beta$-hydroxy valerate. The monomers used are 3-hydroxy butanoic acid and 3- hydroxy pentanoic acid. It has an ester linkage. It is useful to mankind because it is biodegradable polymer and thus prevents environmental pollution.