Preparation and properties of monodisperse branched polystyrene

Abstract

Abstract Model branched polymers have been prepared by the reaction of relatively monodisperse polystyryl lithium with silicon tetrachloride. The branched molecules have been carefully characterized by light scattering and osmotic pressure measurements. A study of the dilute solution properties of the branched molecules has confirmed the theoretical development of the branching coefficient, g ′, by Zimm and Kilb. The second virial coefficient, A 2 , has been found to decrease with increased branching. In addition, the Huggins constant, k ′, has been found to be a poor measure of branching in molecules.