Problem Set 1

Introduction to Polymer Physics, SS 2011, 13.4.10

1. Using two polystyrene fractions with very uniform molecular weight distribution (P 1), a bimodal mixture with a mass average molecular weight of Mw = 25000 g/mol and a polydispersity of P = 1.25 should be prepared. The mixture should contain equal numbers of the different chains. Calculate the molecular weight and the number average degree of polymerization of the two components. 2. Step-growth polymerization. (a) Using the equations given in the lecture, prove that the number and weight average 1 degrees of polymerization are given by Nn = 1x (Carothers equation) and Nw = 1+x , 1x respectively (x is the extent of reaction). (b) Comment on the behavior of Nn for x 1. In how far does this make sense physically? What would rather happen in a real system? Why is it hardly possible to ever achieve x = 1, i.e, what are the factors that limit the molecular weight in step-growth reactions? 3. Explain why the intensity of light scattered by a polymer solution depends on the second virial coefcient (A2 ) of the solution. The central argument rests on a question of length scales: How does the wavelength of visible light compare to the average distance between coils (estimate this for a polystyrene solution with Mn = 105 g/mol at 1 g/l, assuming e.g. a cubic arrangement)? Would the polymer fraction (as compared to the pure solvent) scatter any appreciable excess amount of light if the molecules were xed at their positions?