Question

Which of the following abbreviating forms is a speciality polymer?

• A. PANI
• B. PVC
• C. PET
• D. PMMA

Hint:

Conducting polymers like PANI bridge the gap between metals and plastics.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding speciality polymers.
Speciality polymers are designed for specific applications and possess unique properties such as electrical conductivity, optical activity, or chemical sensitivity.
Step 2: Nature of PANI.
PANI (Polyaniline) is a conducting polymer used in sensors, batteries, antistatic coatings, and electronic devices, making it a speciality polymer.
Step 3: Analysis of options.
(A) PANI: Correct — A conducting and speciality polymer.
(B) PVC: A commodity polymer used in pipes and cables.
(C) PET: A common polyester used in fibres and bottles.
(D) PMMA: A transparent plastic used as glass substitute.
Step 4: Conclusion.
PANI is classified as a speciality polymer, hence option (A) is correct.

Answer 2

Polymers are broadly grouped into commodity polymers (made in huge volumes for general-purpose, low-cost applications) and speciality polymers (made for a specific function based on some unusual, engineered property). Sorting the four options into these groups settles the question.

1. PANI: Polyaniline is synthesized specifically because its conjugated backbone can be doped to conduct electricity, a property completely atypical of ordinary plastics. It is produced in much smaller, targeted volumes for applications like sensors, anti-corrosion coatings, and antistatic materials - the textbook definition of a speciality (functional) polymer.
2. PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is manufactured in enormous global volumes for pipes, cables, and flooring, valued for its low cost and general durability rather than any specialized function - a clear commodity polymer.
3. PET: Polyethylene terephthalate is likewise a high-volume commodity polymer, used massively for beverage bottles and polyester fibre because it is cheap, strong, and easy to process, not because of any unusual specialized property.
4. PMMA: Polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic glass) is valued mainly as a general-purpose transparent, weather-resistant substitute for glass - a broadly useful but still general-purpose commodity-type plastic, not one engineered for a single specialized function.

Only PANI is defined by an unusual, deliberately engineered function (electrical conductivity) rather than general-purpose bulk usefulness, placing it in the speciality polymer category.

Therefore, the correct answer is PANI.