Polymers

thumb|upright=0.8|Appearance of real linear polymer chains as recorded using an atomic force microscope on a surface, under liquid medium. Chain [[contour length for this polymer is ~204 nm; thickness is ~0.4 nm.]]

thumb|Chemical structure of a polypeptide macromolecule

right|thumb|One can produce a tar-like substance from corn stalks by heating them in a microwave oven. This process is known as pyrolysis. Tar is a dark brown or black viscous liquid of hydrocarbons and free carbon, obtained from a wide variety of organic materials through destructive distillation. Tar can be produced from carbon-rich materials such as coal, wood, petroleum, peat, and other organic matter.

thumb|upright=1.35|Maltose syrup

thumb|500px|Idealized structure of lignin from a softwood Lignin is a class of complex organic polymers that form key structural materials in the support tissues of most plants. Lignins are particularly important in the formation of cell walls, especially in wood and bark, because they lend rigidity and do not rot easily. Chemically, lignins are polymers made by the cross-linking of phenolic precursors.

type of polyester commonly used for bottles and clothing

right|thumb|upright=1.4|Some of the many different colors of shellac thumb|right|Shellac in alcohol

Biopolymers are natural polymers produced by the cells of living organisms. Like other polymers, biopolymers consist of monomeric units that are covalently bonded in chains to form larger molecules. There are three main classes of biopolymers, classified according to the monomers used and the structure of the biopolymer formed: polynucleotides, polypeptides, and polysaccharides. The polynucleotides, RNA and DNA, are long polymers of nucleotides. Polypeptides include proteins and shorter polymers of amino acids; some major examples include collagen, actin, and fibrin. Polysaccharides are linear

type of fast-drying paint that consists of pigments or dyes bound in an emulsion of acrylic

heat treatment that alters the properties of a material

fluid that does not follow Newton's Law of Viscosity, viscosity (the measure of a fluid's ability to resist gradual deformation by shear or tensile stresses) of non-Newtonian fluids is dependent on shear rate or shear rate history

polymer

A viscometer (also called viscosimeter) is an instrument used to measure the viscosity of a fluid. For liquids with viscosities which vary with flow conditions, an instrument called a rheometer is used. Thus, a rheometer can be considered as a special type of viscometer. Viscometers can measure only constant viscosity, that is, viscosity that does not change with flow conditions.

The glycocalyx (: glycocalyces or glycocalyxes), also known as the pericellular matrix and cell coat, is an external organelle consisting of a layer of glycosylated biomolecules called glycoconjugates, such as glycoproteins and glycolipids. These are embedded in and extend outwards from the cell membranes of virtually all cells. Generally, the carbohydrate portion of the glycolipids found on the surface of plasma membranes helps these molecules contribute to cell–cell recognition, communication, and intercellular adhesion.

water-soluble synthetic polymer

organic polymer matrix bearing ion-exchange functional groups

A photoresist (also known simply as a resist) is a light-sensitive material used in several processes, such as photolithography and photoengraving, to form a patterned coating on a surface. This process is crucial in the electronics industry.

A fluoropolymer is a fluorocarbon-based polymer with multiple carbon–fluorine bonds. It is characterized by a high resistance to solvents, acids, and bases. The best known fluoropolymer is polytetrafluoroethylene under the brand name "Teflon," trademarked by the DuPont Company.

toy putty (slime) based on silicone polymers and boric acid

Styrene-butadiene or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) describe families of synthetic rubbers derived from styrene and butadiene (the version developed by Goodyear is called Neolite). These materials have good abrasion resistance and good aging stability when protected by additives. In 2012, more than 5.4 million tonnes of SBR were processed worldwide. About 50% of car tires are made from various types of SBR. The styrene/butadiene ratio influences the properties of the polymer: with high styrene content, the rubbers are harder and less rubbery. SBR is not to be confused with the thermoplastic el

thumb|About 70% of polybutadiene is used in tire manufacturing.

A polyphosphate is a salt or ester of polymeric oxyanions formed from tetrahedral PO4 (phosphate) structural units linked together by sharing oxygen atoms. Polyphosphates can adopt linear or a cyclic (also called, ring) structures. In biology, the polyphosphate esters ADP and ATP are involved in energy storage. A variety of polyphosphates find application in mineral sequestration in municipal waters, generally being present at 1 to 5 ppm. GTP, CTP, and UTP are also nucleotides important in the protein synthesis, lipid synthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism, respectively. Polyph

thumb|PCL beads, as sold for industrial or hobbyist use. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic, semi-crystalline, biodegradable polyester with a melting point of about 60 °C and a glass transition temperature of about −60 °C. The most common use of polycaprolactone is in the production of speciality polyurethanes. Polycaprolactones impart good resistance to water, oil, solvent and chlorine to the polyurethane produced.

An alkyd is a polyester resin modified by the addition of fatty acids and other components. Alkyds are derived from polyols and organic acids including dicarboxylic acids or carboxylic acid anhydride and triglyceride oils. The term alkyd is a modification of the original name "alcid", reflecting the fact that they are derived from alcohol and organic acids. The inclusion of a fatty acid confers a tendency to form flexible coatings. Alkyds are used in paints, varnishes and in moulds for casting. They are the dominant resin or binder in most commercial oil-based coatings. Approximately 200,000 t

type of synthetic rubber

Encyclopedia of polymer banknote

set of symbols appearing on plastic products that identify the plastic resin out of which the product is made

thumb|SEM image of a geopolymer granule prepared from metakaolin by alkaline activation to be further used as a sorbent. A geopolymer is an inorganic, often ceramic-like material, that forms a stable, covalently bonded, non-crystalline to semi-crystalline network through the reaction of aluminosilicate materials with an alkaline or acidic solution. Many geopolymers may also be classified as alkali-activated cements or acid-activated binders. They are mainly produced by a chemical reaction between a chemically reactive aluminosilicate powder e.g. metakaolin or other clay-derived powders, natura

thumb|200px|Chemical structures of two synthetic polyelectrolytes, as examples. To the left is sodium polystyrene sulfonate|poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (PSS), and to the right is [[polyacrylic acid (PAA). Both are negatively charged polyelectrolytes when dissociated. PSS is a 'strong' polyelectrolyte (fully charged in solution), whereas PAA is 'weak' (partially charged).]]

Polidocanol is a local anaesthetic and antipruritic component of ointments and bath additives. It relieves itching caused by eczema and dry skin. It has also been used to treat varicose veins, hemangiomas, and vascular malformations. It is formed by the ethoxylation of dodecanol.

anionic polyelectrolyte polymer

a chromatographic method in which molecules in solution are separated by their size, and in some cases molecular weight

chemical compound

mixture of prepolymers, synthetic materials with properties similar to natural plant resins

type of size exclusion chromatography (SEC)

ion-exchange membrane specific for protons

Zineb is the chemical compound with the formula {Zn[S2CN(H)CH2CH2N(H)CS2]}n. Structurally, it is classified as a coordination polymer and a dithiocarbamate complex. This pale yellow solid is used as fungicide.

any elastomer that can be melted

thumb|class=skin-invert-image|Polysulfone (PSU) repeating unit. thumb|class=skin-invert-image|Polyethersulfone (PES) repeating unit.

A photopolymer or light-activated resin is a polymer that changes its properties when exposed to light, often in the ultraviolet or visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These changes are often manifested structurally, for example hardening of the material occurs as a result of cross-linking when exposed to light. An example is shown below depicting a mixture of monomers, oligomers, and photoinitiators that conform into a hardened polymeric material through a process called curing.

Depolymerization (or depolymerisation) is the process of converting a polymer into a monomer or a mixture of monomers. This process is driven by an increase in entropy.

Nanocellulose is a term referring to a family of cellulosic materials that have at least one of their dimensions in the nanoscale. Examples of nanocellulosic materials are microfibrilated cellulose, cellulose nanofibers or cellulose nanocrystals. Nanocellulose may be obtained from natural cellulose fibers through a variety of production processes. This family of materials possesses interesting properties suitable for a wide range of potential applications.

Polyethylenimine (PEI) or polyaziridine is a polymer with repeating units composed of the amine group and two carbon aliphatic CHCH spacers. Linear polyethyleneimines contain all secondary amines, in contrast to branched PEIs which contain primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups. Totally branched, dendrimeric forms were also reported. PEI is produced on an industrial scale and finds many applications usually derived from its polycationic character.

polymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to their own mass

Microencapsulation is a process in which tiny particles or droplets are surrounded by a coating to give small capsules, with useful properties. In general, it is used to incorporate food ingredients, enzymes, cells or other materials on a micrometric scale. Microencapsulation can also be used to enclose solids, liquids, or gases inside a micrometric wall made of hard or soft soluble film, in order to reduce dosing frequency and prevent the degradation of pharmaceuticals.

a type of polymer

Dimethylmagnesium is an organomagnesium compound with the chemical formula . It is a white pyrophoric solid. Dimethylmagnesium is used in the synthesis of organometallic compounds.

polymer consisting of repeating units of a coordination complex

Graphane is a two-dimensional polymer of carbon and hydrogen with the formula unit (CH)n where n is large. Partial hydrogenation results in hydrogenated graphene, which was reported by Elias et al. in 2009 by a TEM study to be "direct evidence for a new graphene-based derivative". The authors viewed the panorama as "a whole range of new two-dimensional crystals with designed electronic and other properties". With the band gap ranges from 0 to 0.8 eV

thumb|General structurewith a = 2–130 and b = 15–67

gluey polymers secreted by microorganisms to form biofilms

Policresulen is the polycondensation product of meta-cresolsulfonic acid and phenol. It is used as a topical hemostatic and antiseptic in infectious and other lesions of the mucous membranes, like gynecological infections, anal hemorrhoids as well as ulcers of the oral cavity including canker sores. In some countries it is marketed under the trade name Albothyl or Polilen (Taiwan) or Faktu (combination with Cinchocaine).

engineering field that designs, analyses, or modifies polymer materials

tablet coating to delay release of the medication until after the tablet leaves the stomach

simple model of a polymer

Maneb (manganese ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate) is a fungicide and a polymeric complex of manganese with the ethylene bis (dithiocarbamate) anionic ligand.

Polyhexanide (polyhexamethylene biguanide, PHMB) is a polymer used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. In dermatological use, it is spelled polihexanide (INN) and sold under various brand names. PHMB has been shown to be effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis, enterococci, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Polihexanide, sold under the brand name Akantior is a medication used for the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Ethyl centralite is an organic compound. Its chemical name is N,''-diethyl-N,''-diphenylurea. The molecular formula of ethyl centralite is . This compound has important uses in industry and forensics. The structure of ethyl centralite includes two phenyl groups (aromatic rings) attached to a central urea group. There are also ethyl groups () bound to the nitrogen atoms of the urea. Its primary use is as a stabilizer in double and triple-base smokeless powders.

topical skin treatment for minor cuts and sores

In polymer chemistry, the term prepolymer or pre-polymer, refers to a monomer or system of monomers that have been reacted to an intermediate-molecular mass state. This material is capable of further polymerization by reactive groups to a fully cured, high-molecular-mass state. As such, mixtures of reactive polymers with un-reacted monomers may also be referred to as pre-polymers. The term "pre-polymer" and "polymer precursor" may be interchanged.