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Molecular weight distribution and polymerization kinetics in some new catalytic processes
Author(s) -
Mussa C. I. V.
Publication year - 1959
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1959.070010306
Subject(s) - polymerization , molar mass distribution , macromolecule , natta , interpretation (philosophy) , distribution (mathematics) , thermodynamics , series (stratigraphy) , kinetics , chemistry , materials science , polymer chemistry , chemical physics , mathematics , physics , polymer , organic chemistry , classical mechanics , mathematical analysis , geology , paleontology , biochemistry , computer science , programming language
Some features of the molecular weight distributions found by experiment for low pressure polyethylenes are examined; an analytical interpretation of them is suggested which is in agreement with the polymerization mechanism resulting from kinetic investigations of Natta and co‐workers. Such interpretation is based on the consideration of the distribution of the individual times of growth (or of the “lifetimes”) of the single macromolecules. It is assumed that ( a ) these lifetimes tend to be distributed according to the Gauss formula, such as a series of events tending to be distributed at random about a mean; and ( b ) the growth of any single macromolecule proceeds at a rate which can be considered as the rate of a chain reaction. Possible deviations from such simplified scheme are taken into account. A distribution formula of a generalized Lansing‐Kraemer type is deduced, giving an explanation of all the observed features of the molecular weight distribution.