Question

Cellulose acetate is a _________ polymer.

Answer 1

Semisynthetic polymers are generally extracted from naturally occurring polymers through some chemical modifications. These are usually thermoplastic polymers i.e., are moldable at a certain temperature and on cooling, its solidification takes place.

Complete answer:
There are two major classifications of polymers i.e., Natural polymer and synthetic polymer. Other than these two groups, there are additionally other kinds of polymers which are originally natural but are chemically or physically modified which are termed as semisynthetic polymers.
Cellulose acetate is an example of a material which is thermoplastic and is produced from cellulose i.e., a natural polymer. It is not produced by polymerization of any monomer. Therefore, cellulose acetate is considered as a semi-synthetic or regenerated polymer.
Some properties of cellulose acetate are as follows:
-Deep gloss i.e., have a very shiny surface
-Good toughness i.e., can plastically deformed without being broken
-Have a high transparency
-Have a natural finish
Some applications of cellulose acetate are as follows:
-Widely used in textile and clothing industry
-Also used in wound dressing
-Are used in wipes and as absorbent clothes
-Used in making handles of various tools.
-Spectacles frames were made with the use of cellulose acetate
Hence, cellulose acetate is a semi-synthetic polymer.

Note:
All cellulose derivatives are semisynthetic polymers as there is no polymerization reaction of any monomer to extract the cellulose derivatives. Hence, the natural polymer i.e., cellulose is chemically modified to form these polymers. Some other examples of cellulose derivative polymers are cellulose nitrate, cellulose diacetate, etc.