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Molecular Weight Distribution of Linear Chains in Step‐Growth Polymerization Under the Influence of Cyclization Reactions
Author(s) -
Wutz Christoph,
Kricheldorf Hans R.
Publication year - 2012
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.201100084
Subject(s) - exponent , monomer , polymerization , molar mass distribution , polymer , distribution (mathematics) , chemistry , polymer chemistry , chain (unit) , linear polymer , thermodynamics , degree of polymerization , mathematics , physics , organic chemistry , mathematical analysis , quantum mechanics , philosophy , linguistics
Two different equations are presented describing the frequency distribution ( f l ) of linear chains in step‐growth (SG) polymerizations. Two related equations for the weight distribution ( w l ) are formulated as well. All equations contain either an exponent α that represents the reaction rates (or probabilities) of chain growth versus cyclization reactions or they contain a cyclization factor β ′. Plots of f l and w l versus conversion or degree of polymerization are presented and discussed. Distribution curves of individual oligomers versus conversion and versus β ′ are described. Furthermore, the consequences for hyperbranched polymers resulting from polycondensations of ab n monomers are discussed. Analogous to Flory's theory all equations concern kinetically controlled SG polymerizations.