Here’s a clear explanation of free radical polymerization without using any equations:
Free radical polymerization is a process used to make polymers from small molecules called monomers. It happens in three main steps:
- Initiation
- A special molecule called an initiator breaks apart to form highly reactive particles called free radicals.
- These radicals attack a monomer, making it reactive and ready to join the growing polymer chain.
- Propagation
- The reactive monomer adds another monomer, which then becomes a new reactive species.
- This step keeps repeating, adding more and more monomers to form a long polymer chain.
- Termination
- The chain stops growing when two reactive chains combine, or when one chain transfers its reactivity to another molecule.
- This ends the polymerization and gives the final polymer.
Key points:
- It’s called free radical polymerization because the reaction relies on free radicals.
- Works with many types of monomers that have double bonds.
- Produces high molecular weight polymers like polyethylene, polystyrene, PVC, and PMMA.
- The reaction is fast but gives less control over the polymer structure compared to other methods.