Equilibrium polymerization as an ordering transition

Abstract
We introduce a thermodynamic model of equilibrium polymerization capable of treating all physically important effects: monomer activation, growth of linear polymers, growth of ring polymers, excluded volume, (bi)functionality, polymer rigidity, and the effects of solution. We predict a possibility of both ordering and nonordering polymerization and a possibility of "reentrant" polymerization. The model may be used as a vehicle for studying liquid-crystal polymers.