polikondensatów

Polikondensaty, often referred to as condensation polymers, are a class of polymers formed through a polycondensation reaction. This type of polymerization involves the reaction of monomers that possess at least two functional groups. During the process, a small molecule, such as water, methanol, or hydrogen chloride, is eliminated as a byproduct for each repeating unit formed in the polymer chain. This contrasts with addition polymerization, where monomers join together without the loss of any atoms.

The functional groups on the reacting monomers can be diverse, including hydroxyl, carboxyl, amine, and ester groups, among others. Common examples of polycondensation reactions include the formation of polyesters from diols and dicarboxylic acids, polyamides (like nylon) from diamines and dicarboxylic acids, and polycarbonates from diols and phosgene. Polyurethanes are also formed through a polycondensation-like process involving isocyanates and polyols.

The molecular weight of polycondensation polymers is typically built up stepwise, meaning the chains grow more slowly compared to chain-growth polymerization. The degree of polymerization, and thus the molecular weight, is often controlled by the stoichiometry of the reacting monomers and the removal of the small molecule byproduct. Polikondensaty exhibit a wide range of properties depending on the specific monomers used and the resulting polymer structure, making them suitable for numerous applications in textiles, engineering plastics, films, and adhesives.