Theoretical Depolymerization Kinetics. III. The Effect of Molecular-Weight Distribution in Degrading Polymers Undergoing Random-Scission Initiation

Abstract

Differential equations describing the rate of change of the moments of the molecular‐weight distribution in the random‐scission‐initiated degradation of a heterodisperse polymer have been derived from the kinetic rate equations. These moment equations are used as the basis of an approximate treatment in which differential equations for the parameters in the Schulz—Zimm distribution are derived. These three equations have been solved by digital computer for a wide range of initial distributions and kinetic parameters. The effect of molecular‐weight distribution on this type of degradation is discussed on the basis of the above equations.