This study deals with the effects of branching in some high polymers on viscosity behaviour and on the relationship between intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight. First, the preparation of branched polymers by means of graft polymerization is described. Evidence for the occurrence of grafting, which would result in the growth of polystyrene branches on a min, or backbone, chain composed of polystyrene or a copolymer of styrene and li-vinyl-cyclohexene-1, is reviewed, Next, the design, construction, and calibration of a flexible light scattering photometer is described. The performance of this instrument is shown to bs adequate for the determination of the molecular weight and size, as well as the second virial coefficient, of a high polymer in solution. Finally, properties of the graft polymers in solution are compared, with the corresponding properties of linear polystyrene. The relationships found between intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight, as well as the values obtained for the second virial coefficient, confirm the existence of branching in the graft polymers. On the other hand, it is shown that the viscosity slope constant, Huggins' k', the of which, is often used as an indication of branching, is not affected significantly by the branching present in the graft polymers. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/26389 |
| Date | 09 1900 |
| Creators | Manson, John |
| Contributors | Cragg, L. H., Chemistry |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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