Question

What is meant by copolymerisation?

Answer 1

1. When two or more different types of monomers undergo polymerisation, the process is called copolymerisation, and the polymer product thus obtained is called a copolymer.
2. Each monomer used in the same polymeric chain is present in many units in the copolymer created as a result of copolymerization. For example, a copolymer known as styrene methylmethacrylate polymer is produced when styrene and methyl methacrylate are polymerized.
3. In copolymerization, the reactivity of the monomers as well as their proportion determines the polymer’s makeup. Some monomers undergo copolymerization instead of polymerization. Maleic anhydride, for example, copolymerizes with styrene in a very symmetrical way to generate styrene maleic anhydride copolymer rather than polymerizing as such.
4. Compared to homopolymers made from each of the combining monomers, copolymers have very distinct properties.