Polymers & Environmental Chemistry: Real-World Applications

Structural and Packaging:

Ethene → HDPE (Ziegler-Natta, low P): rigid containers, milk jugs, water pipes, cutting boards
Ethene → LDPE (radical, high P): shopping bags, cling film, squeeze bottles, plastic wrapping
Styrene → Polystyrene: disposable cups, CD cases, EPS (Styrofoam) for thermal insulation
Vinyl chloride → PVC: water and drain pipes, electrical cable insulation, floor tiles, raincoats, window frames

Specialty and High-Performance:

Tetrafluoroethene → Teflon (PTFE): non-stick cookware, gaskets, medical catheters, chemical-resistant linings
Acrylonitrile → PAN (Orlon): sweaters, carpets, blankets — lightweight wool substitute
Butadiene + styrene → Buna-S (SBR): tire treads, shoe soles, conveyor belts
Butadiene + acrylonitrile → Buna-N: fuel hoses, gaskets, oil-resistant gloves, seals

Fiber Applications:

Hexamethylenediamine + adipic acid → Nylon-6,6: stockings, parachutes, toothbrush bristles, tire cords
Caprolactam → Nylon-6: tire cords, fabrics, ropes, gear wheels
Ethylene glycol + terephthalic acid → Dacron/PET: clothing, soda and water bottles, food packaging, audio tape

Thermosetting Applications:

Phenol + formaldehyde → Bakelite: electrical switches, handles, printed circuit boards, billiard balls
Melamine + formaldehyde → Melamine resin: unbreakable crockery, Formica laminates, whiteboard surfaces

Biodegradable Applications:

Bacterial fermentation → PHBV: compostable packaging, medical bone screws and sutures, drug delivery devices
Nylon-2-nylon-6: biodegradable medical sutures and packaging

Water treatment: Alum (Al2(SO4)3) coagulates suspended particles (Al3+ → Al(OH)3 floc); sand filtration; chlorination (0.2–0.4 ppm Cl2 kills bacteria); ozonation as an alternative to Cl2.
Acid rain mitigation: Flue gas desulfurization (limestone scrubbing: CaCO3 + SO2 → CaSO4 + CO2); catalytic converters in cars reduce NOx emissions.
Ozone protection: Montreal Protocol (1987) phased out CFC production; HFCs (no Cl, no ozone depletion) used as CFC replacements in refrigerants.
Heavy metal remediation: Chelation therapy for Pb poisoning (EDTA); phytoremediation (Thlaspi caerulescens for Cd); activated carbon filtration for Hg.
Green chemistry in industry: Supercritical CO2 as solvent replaces halogenated organic solvents; H2O2 as bleach in paper industry replaces chlorine; microwave-assisted synthesis reduces reaction time and energy consumption.