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Polymer
//ˈpɒl.ɪ.mə// noun
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A long or larger molecule consisting of a chain or network of many repeating units, formed by chemically bonding together many identical or similar small molecules called monomers. A polymer is formed by polymerization, the joining of many monomer molecules. countable, uncountable
- 2 a naturally occurring or synthetic compound consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomers wordnet
- 3 A material consisting of such polymer molecules. countable, uncountable
"The water absorbency of the anionically starch-grafted AA/AM absorbent is markedly affected by the pH of the buffer solution at different ionic strengths. The charge of the ionic monomer affects the pH sensitivity of the superabsorbent polymers. An acidic superabsorbent normally ionizes at high pH but unionizes at low pH."
Etymology
From poly- + -mer, from Ancient Greek πολύς (polús, “many”) + μέρος (méros, “part”). Coined by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1833, though his definition was quite different from the modern one.
See also for "polymer"
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