Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units, typically derived from petrochemicals. The term “polymer” derives from the Greek prefix poly-, meaning “many,” and the suffix -mer, meaning “part.” The simplest polymers are linear chains of a single type of monomer unit. More complex polymers exhibit a variety of structures, including branching and cross-linking.
Polymers are found in both natural and synthetic form. Natural polymers include proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates such as cellulose and chitin. Synthetic polymers include plastics, rubber, resins, adhesives, fibers, coatings, and sealants. Polymeric materials have many important applications in industry and commerce, including packaging, construction, transportation (e.g., tires), electronics (e.g., semiconductors), medical devices (e.g., implants), textiles (e.g., clothing), and paper products (e.g., cups).
The study of polymer science is known as macromolecular science or polymer chemistry. It covers the chemical synthesis ofpolymers; their physical properties; analysis and characterization methods; behavior under various conditions; structure-property relationships; processing techniques; theoretical modeling;and industrial applications.