Polymerization is a chemical reaction in which a large number of monomer molecules combine to produce a polymer. A polymerization can yield macromolecules with a linear or branching structure. They can also take the form of a three-dimensional complicated network.
Types of Polymerisation
Polymerization reactions are divided into two groups, namely, Addition polymerization (chain reaction) and condensation reaction (step reaction).
Addition Polymerisation: As the name denotes, we can see the addition of monomers to form a polymer, twice the number or even more than that. Here, we can either select monomers of the same species or of different species. When we choose the single species monomers for the polymerization, the product thus formed is known as homopolymer (for example polythene used to make bags). When we use two different species for additional polymerization, the polymer would be known as copolymer (for example, Buna-S and Buna-N).
Condensation Polymerisation: In the condensation polymerisation, we can find elimination of compounds like HCL, water, alcohol etc...; while the monomers condense during the reaction process. This reaction happens between tri-function and bi-function monomer units and results in the formation of polymers like nylon.
