Gels primarily consist of which type of polymers?

Gels primarily consist of oligomers, which are short chains of monomers (the building blocks of polymers) typically containing a few to several repeat units. Oligomers have a unique structure that makes them particularly suitable for forming gels because they can create a network that retains liquids while maintaining a semi-solid form. This characteristic is essential in products like nail gels, where the viscosity and texture are crucial for application and performance.

In contrast, monomers are the single units that combine to form polymers but do not possess the complexity or functional properties needed for gel formation on their own. Polystyrenes and polyethylene are types of polymers but do not specifically relate to the gel structure. Polystyrene is a thermoplastic, while polyethylene is a widely used plastic, both of which have different applications and structures compared to the oligomers used in gels.