Synthetic polymer fibres polymerisation

First study of co-polymerisation by Wagner-Jauregg Early theories of rubber-elasticity (Mark, Meyer, Guth, Kuhn and others) Carothers famous work proves by means of organic synthesis that polymers are giant, stable molecules. He first proves it by the discovery of neoprene (polychloro-butadiene), then by the condensation polymerisation of amino acids and esters. As a consequence the first fully synthetic textile fibre, nylon, is developed. In Carothers group Flory elucidates the mechanisms of radical and condensation polymerisation... 

The silicones have established their value as water-repellent finishes for a range of natural and synthetic textiles. A number of techniques have been devised which result in the pick-up of 1-3% of silicone resin on the cloth. The polymer may be added as a solution, an emulsion or by spraying a fine mist alternatively, intermediates may be added which either polymerise in situ or attach themselves to the fibre molecules. 

These polymers possessing amide linkages are Important examples of synthetic fibres and are termed as nylons. The general method of preparation consists of the eondensatlon polymerisation of diamines with dlearboxyllc acids and also of amino acids and their lactams. 

Polylactic acid (PLA), the structure of which is shown in Figure 7.10, is a polyester fibre in which there has been recent interest because of its environmental credentials. PLA may be derived from renewable resources, such as cornstarch, and it is biodegradable. PLA may be coloured using certain disperse dyes, although the dyes do not exhaust as well as on PET, mainly because of its aliphatic character. Acrylic fibres are synthetic fibres based essentially on the addition polymer polyacrylonitrile, the essential structure of which is illustrated in Figure 7.11. However, most acrylic fibres are rather more complex and contain within their structure anionic groups, most commonly sulfonate (-SOs ), but also carboxylate (-CO2 ) groups either as a result of the incorporation of co-polymerised monomers in... 

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