Difference between homo- and co- polymers

Where do you get (homo) polymers from could this be Mono polymers? versus co- polymers?

homopolymers are polymers which are made of monomers of same type, co-polymers are made of different kinds of monomers, to my understanding

Get hold of Chambers Science Factfinder Page 390 explains what you need to know. There is too much for me to type it all in. www.chambers.co.uk see ISBN

0550101489 Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd 2006 UK £9.99

The differentiation is more complex, due to the different types of polymers. In acrylic polymers, for example, each acrylic monomer has a different rate of co- and homo-polymerization (listed in texts), such that some acrylic monomers only create homopolymers, while other acrylic monomers create random copolymers, alternating copolymers (where each of two monomers perfectly alternate along the polymer chain), block co-polymers, etc. Simply, the two classifications of polymers are Addition and Condensation (step-wise). In addition polymerization, one is usually looking at the opening of a C = C double bond, via a radical, followed by radical-radical coupling. Here, high MW polymers can be made in very short times. The polymerization can be in solution, in miceles (water based emulsion polymerization), or even in gas phase polymerization. In condensation polymerization, one must have at least two monomers which have different functional groups, such as an alcohol -OH and an acid -COOH, and each molecule must have at least two functional groups (or one monomer which contains both reactive groups, HO-(CH2)n-COOH), which on polymerizationm forms a polyester in the above case. Here, in condensation polymerization, building high MW polymers is a lengthy, step-wise process. Almost always, the resulting condensation polymer will contain a bell-curve distribution of MWs, from monomer to very high MW. Also, in Condensation polymerization, each reaction between two monomers almost always splits out a small molecule. Depending on the reacting functional groups, this small molecule may be water, HCl, etc. These reactions are equilibrium reactions. To drive the reaction to the right, one simply removes the small molecule split out, as for example as steam for water, by vacuum, etc. Polyurethanes are an exception, whereas they are condensation polymers, due to the "free" electron pair on the isocyanate -N: atom, the "small molecule" that would have been split off becomes part of the polymer, forming the urethane functional polymer group. There are any number of good polymer texts that cover this in much more detail. If you need a suggested reading list, respond, and I'll send you suggested texts. They also make excellent reference texts!