polümeratsioon

Polümeratsioon is a chemical process where small molecules, called monomers, react together to form a long chain-like molecule, called a polymer. This process is fundamental to the creation of many familiar materials, including plastics, rubbers, and synthetic fibers. The monomers link together through covalent bonds, forming a repeating unit along the polymer chain. The specific type of monomer and the reaction conditions determine the properties of the resulting polymer.

There are two primary mechanisms of polymerization: addition polymerization and condensation polymerization. In addition polymerization, monomers add to one another without the loss of any atoms. This typically occurs with monomers containing double or triple bonds, such as ethylene to form polyethylene. Condensation polymerization, on the other hand, involves the reaction between monomers with the elimination of a small molecule, such as water or methanol. Examples include the formation of polyesters and polyamides.

The control over polymerization conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and the presence of catalysts or initiators, is crucial for tailoring the molecular weight, structure, and properties of the polymer. These properties, in turn, dictate the polymer's application, ranging from packaging and textiles to advanced engineering materials and pharmaceuticals. Understanding polymerization is key to developing new materials with desired characteristics.