What is the Difference Between Copolymer and Condensation Polymer?

The main difference between copolymers and condensation polymers lies in the type of monomers involved and the reaction process.

Copolymers:

• Copolymers are polymer materials containing at least two types of monomers.
• The process of polymerization that forms a copolymer is called "copolymerization".
• Copolymers can be formed via addition or condensation reactions.
• Examples of copolymers include bipolymers (two types of monomers), terpolymers (three types of monomers), and polymers with even more monomers.

Condensation Polymers:

• Condensation polymers are polymer materials that form via condensation reactions while removing small molecules like water, HCl, or ammonia.
• In condensation polymerization, monomers with reactive functional groups react with each other, resulting in the formation of the polymer and the elimination of small molecules as by-products.
• The molecular weight of the resultant polymers is not a multiple of the monomer's molecular weight.
• Examples of condensation polymers include nylon, bakelite, and silicon.

In summary, copolymers are polymers containing at least two types of monomers, while condensation polymers are polymers formed via condensation reactions, which remove small molecules as by-products. Copolymers can be formed through addition or condensation reactions, whereas condensation polymers are always formed through condensation reactions.

Comparative Table: Copolymer vs Condensation Polymer

The main difference between copolymers and condensation polymers is the process through which they are formed. Copolymers form via copolymerization, which involves the linking of two or more types of monomers, while condensation polymers form through a condensation reaction, where molecules join together, losing small molecules as byproducts. Here is a table comparing the two types of polymers:

Copolymers can be formed via both step-growth and chain-growth polymerization, whereas condensation polymers are typically formed through step-growth polymerization. Condensation polymers generally form more slowly than addition polymers and often require heat.