Understanding the effect of polymer structure on its bulk properties
Four different polymers are analyzed by GPC/SEC to investigate the effect of molecular weight, dispersity and molecular structure on the final properties of the polymer.
Understanding the Effect of Polymer Structure on its Bulk Properties
Four different polymers are analyzed by GPC/SEC to investigate the effect of molecular weight, dispersity and molecular structure on the final properties of the polymer.
Introduction
Polymer scientists are continually striving to manufacture products that have the correct characteristics for a given application. By controlling the molecular weight, branching and chemistry, they can tailor a polymer’s properties for a range of applications from containers and fittings to viscosity modifiers and drug delivery vehicles. The challenge here is that the physical properties and behavior of polymer products depend strongly on the properties of the polymer molecules themselves. This is also the case for finished products made from or containing polymers. For example, Table 1 shows how changing properties, such as molecular weight, dispersity and branching, can affect the bulk properties of a polymer. These are general trends and the actual effect will depend on the specific polymer.
