Prediction of mean square radius of gyration of tree-like polymers by a general kinetic approach

Mário Rui P.F.N. Costa, Rolando C.S. Dias
2007 Polymer  
This paper describes a kinetic method to predict the z-average molecular mean square radius of gyration of tree-like polymers formed by irreversible reactions, assuming Gaussian chains. It is based on the population balance equations for the two-sided molecular distributions of pendant chains associated with every chemically distinguishable kind of bonds. An automated method for the solution of those equations is valid both before as well as after gelation for complex kinetic schemes. Examples
more » ... f its use are presented with polycondensation systems leading to hyperbranched polymers, the anionic polymerization of mono-and divinyl monomers and a radical polymerization with terminal branching and transfer to polymer.
doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2007.01.033 fatcat:7o5454satfc2dkcimvu7c72nim