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Molecular Weight Distribution of Living Radical Polymers
Author(s) -
Tobita Hidetaka
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
macromolecular theory and simulations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.37
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-3919
pISSN - 1022-1344
DOI - 10.1002/mats.200500066
Subject(s) - molar mass distribution , polymer , monomer , distribution (mathematics) , radical polymerization , chain transfer , chemistry , polymer chemistry , kinetic chain length , thermodynamics , computational chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , mathematics , mathematical analysis , physics
Summary: The molecular weight distribution formed in an ideal living radical polymerization is considered theoretically. It was found that the hypergeometric function that combines the most probable and the Poisson distribution represents a fundamental distribution of the living radical polymers. The number‐ and weight‐average molecular weights are derived for this fundamental distribution, together with those for polymerizations in a batch and in a continuous stirred tank reactor. These average molecular weight functions are obtained based on the arithmetic calculations without deriving the distribution functions. The effect of the monomer transfer reactions on the formed MWD is also considered. The present study clarifies the relationship between the reaction mechanism and the formed molecular weight distribution as well as the fundamental characteristics of living radical polymers.Calculated number fraction distribution N ( r ) development with (dashed) and without (solid) the monomer transfer reactions.