The key difference between organic and inorganic polymers is that the organic polymers essentially contain carbon atoms in the backbone whereas the inorganic polymers do not contain carbon atoms in the backbone. Furthemore, most of the organic polymers are simple structures. But, almost all of the inorganic polymers are highly branched complex structures.
Backbone of a polymer is its main chain. It is continuous and we can use it to categorize a polymer as either organic or inorganic. Sometimes, there are hybrid polymers containing both organic and inorganic regions in the same polymer backbone.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Organic Polymers
3. What are Inorganic Polymers
4. Similarities Between Organic and Inorganic Polymers
5. Side by Side Comparison – Organic vs Inorganic Polymers in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What are Organic Polymers?
Organic polymers are polymer materials that essentially contain carbon atoms in the backbone. Therefore, there are only carbon-carbon covalent bonds in these. These polymers form only from organic monomer molecules. Most of the times, these polymers are environmentally friendly since these are biodegradable.
Figure 01: Some Examples of Organic Polymers
Furthermore, there are two major forms of organic polymers such as natural and synthetic polymers. Common examples of important organic polymers include polysaccharides, proteins, polynucleotides (DNA and RNA), etc. These are natural organic polymers. Synthetic organic polymers include polyesters, nylon, polycarbonate, etc.
What are Inorganic Polymers?
Inorganic polymers are polymer materials that have no carbon atoms in the backbone. However, most of these polymers are hybrid polymers because there are some organic regions as well. These materials are highly branched structures and have chemical elements other than carbon; ex: sulfur, nitrogen.
Figure 02: Poly(dichlorophosphazene) is an Inorganic Polymer
Moreover, these polymers are not environmentally friendly because they are non-biodegradable. Some common examples include polydimethylsiloxane (silicone rubber), polyphosphazenes, etc.
What are the Similarities Between Organic and Inorganic Polymers?
- Both are polymer materials consisting of monomers that are linked to each other via covalent bonds.
- Both Organic and Inorganic Polymers are macromolecules having very high molar masses.
What is the Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Polymers
Organic polymers are polymer materials that essentially contain carbon atoms in the backbone. These polymers essentially contain carbon atoms in the backbone. Most of the organic polymers are simple structures. Moreover, these are environmentally friendly since these are biodegradable. On the other hand, inorganic polymers are polymer materials that do not have carbon atoms in the backbone. Therefore, these polymers do not contain carbon atoms in the backbone. This is the main difference between organic nd inorganic polymers. Almost all of the inorganic polymers are highly branched complex structures. In addition, these are not environmental friendly because these are non-biodegradable.
Summary – Organic vs Inorganic Polymers
Polymers are mainly in two types as organic polymers and inorganic polymers. The difference between organic and inorganic polymers is that the organic polymers essentially contain carbon atoms in the backbone whereas the inorganic polymers do not contain carbon atoms in the backbone.
Reference:
1. “Inorganic Polymer.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 July 2018. Available here
2. “Organic Polymers.” 103-84-4 – Acetanilide, 98% – N-Acetylaniline – N-Phenylacetamide – A14361 – Alfa Aesar. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’Structural Element Polymers V.1’By Jü – Own work, (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’Poly(dichlorophosphazene).’By Ed (Edgar181) – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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