I recently did the FTIR analysis of polyethylene and found a new peak compared to the known data sets, with a spectral range of 2358. What does this new peak define based on polymer chemistry?
The peak 2358 cm-1 shows the strong –C = C stretch. It means ethyl group presence in the polyethylene.
In polyethylene, the repeating unit (-CH2-CH2-)n represents the ethylene monomer unit. Each monomer unit contributes two carbon atoms to the polymer chain. These carbon atoms are bonded to two hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom from the adjacent monomer unit, creating a linear chain with a high degree of flexibility.
The ethyl groups present in polyethylene contribute to its chemical and physical properties. They add flexibility and mobility to the polymer chains, allowing polyethylene to be easily molded and shaped into various forms. The presence of ethyl groups also influences the polymer's thermal and mechanical properties, such as its melting point, density, and tensile strength.
It's important to note that in polyethylene, the ethyl groups are chemically bonded to the polymer chain and are not easily removable without breaking the polymer structure.
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