Modelling end-chain scission and recombination of linear polymers

摘要

A mathematical model has been constructed to analyse the evolution of a population of molecules undergoing simultaneous end-chain scission and recombination. The model also incorporates a mechanism for the removal of volatile species so that comparison with experimental thermogravimetric studies may be made. Model predictions of the evolution of the distribution of molecules compare well with numerical Monte-Carlo simulations. It was found that model predictions also compare well with isothermal thermogravimetric experiments involving commercial PMMA sheet.