Monomers

Introduction

Monomers, mostly organic, are a type of molecules that have the ability to chemically bond with other molecules in a long chain. Monomers are usually unsaturated, cyclic or contain two or more functional groups of low molecular compounds, mainly including acrylic, epoxy, styrene, alcohol, acid anhydride, etc. They are the most important raw materials to polymers by forming chemical bonds or binding supramolecular through a process called polymerization.

Common Monomers and Their Functions

Different types of monomers can give different functions to polymer materials, so that on the basis of the original mechanical properties, it not only has the function of transferring, transforming or storing substances, but also has the function of chemical reactivity, photosensitivity, conductivity, catalysis, biocompatibility, pharmacology, selective separation, energy conversion, magnetism and other functions (Tab. 1).

Table 1 Common monomers and their functions

Monomer Types	Functions
Alcohol Monomers	Improve the hydrophilicity of resin; Improve the adhesion, water resistance, acid and alkali resistance of the film; Introduce curing crosslinking points.
Carboxylic Acid Monomers	Improve the wettability of the resin to the pigments and filler and the adhesion to the substrate; Improve the chemical corrosion resistance and flexibility of resin; Increase the mechanical stability and viscosity of the resin; Improve the cohesion strength of the resin.
Epoxide Monomers	Improve the hardness, gloss, adhesion and weather resistance of the resin; Increase the crosslinking density; Improve the comprehensive properties of composite materials.
Organosilicon Monomers	Improve the mechanical strength, high and low temperature resistance, oxidative degradation resistance and moisture resistance of the coating.
Fluorinated Monomers	Improve the surface energy and surface tension of the film; Improve the hydrophobic, oleophobic, thermal stability and corrosion resistance of coatings.
Styrene Monomers	With beneficial functions including strength, durability, comfort, light weight, safety and energy efficiency.

Polymerization Reactions

There are two basic types of polymerization, chain reaction (or addition) and step reaction (or condensation) polymerization (figure 1).

Fig. 1 Types of polymerization reactions
(Click the buttons with * to see examples)

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Fig. 2 Free radical polymerization example.

Fig. 8 Polycondensation example.

Fig. 9 Ring opening polymerization example.

Fig. 10 Polyaddition example.

Fig. 3 Cationic polymerization example.

Fig. 4 Anionic polymerization example.

Fig. 5 Ziegler-Natta catalyst polymerization example.

Fig. 6 Metallocene catalyst polymerization example.

Fig. 7 Chromium catalyst polymerization example.

Features of Our Monomers

Alfa Chemistry offers a wide range of monomers to assist in the research and development of polymer materials. Features of our monomers include:

High Purity

80+% of the products have a purity greater than 97%.

Full Range

Supplying 20 series of monomer products.

Adequate Stocks

Most products are well stocked.

Bulk Pack

Some products are available in large packages.

Alfa Chemistry supplies a full range of monomer products, if you can't find what you want you can contact us for advice.