Molecular weight distribution in free radical polymerization with long‐chain branching

Abstract

Abstract A new theory to predict the molecular weight distribution in free radical polymerization that includes chain transfer to polymer is proposed. This theory is based on the branching density distribution of the primary polymer molecules. The branching density distribution provides the information on how each chain is connected to other chains, and therefore, a full molecular weight distribution can be calculated by application of the Monte Carlo simulation. The present theory accounts for the history of the generated branched structure and can be applied to various reaction systems that involve branching and crosslinking regardless of the reactor types used. The present simulation confirmed the validity of the method of moments in a batch polymerization proposed earlier. It was shown clearly why gelation never occurs by chain transfer to polymer without the assistance of other interlinking reaction such as bimolecular termination by combination. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.