Biopolymers & Bioplastics

Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers are human-made polymers. They can be classified into four main categories: thermoplastics, thermosetting, elastomers, and synthetic fibers. They are commonly found in a variety of consumer products. synthetic polymers are used in home purpose and mainly in daily basic needs in house purpose. A wide variety of synthetic polymers are available with variations in main chain as well as side chains. The back bones of common synthetic polymers such as polythene, polystyrene and poly acrylates are made up of carbon-carbon bonds, whereas hetero chain polymers such as polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polysulfides and polycarbonates have other elements (e.g. oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen) inserted along to the backbone. Also silicon forms similar materials without the need of carbon atoms, such as silicones through siloxane linkages; these compounds are thus said to be inorganic polymers. Coordination polymers may contain a range of metals in the backbone, with non-covalent bonding present.