Structure of Polybutadienes

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Abstract
Polybutadienes made with six different catalyst systems were examined: (1) butyllithium, (2) “nickel-based”, (3) alfin, (4) “titanium-based”, (5) “cobalt-based”, and (6) free radical emulsion. The microstructure and macrostructure of the polybutadienes have been determined and are compared to the results published in the literature. These polybutadienes may be considered to be random terpolymers of cis, trans, and vinyl addition of butadiene. The glass transition temperature is specified by the vinyl content. The crystalline melting points of the high trans and also the high cis polybutadienes obey to a high measure Flory's equation for melting point depression of a random terpolymer. The molecular weights of the polybutadienes have been determined by light scattering and osmometry and the degree of long chain branching has been determined by the branching index, ⟨g′⟩. The macro-structural features of the linear polymers are confirmed by fractionation. However, the polydispersities calculated from fractionation data do not agree with those determined from light scattering and osmometry for the branched samples. The discrepancy is attributed to the method of characterization of the fractions. A distinction is made between molecular weight distribution and molecular size distribution.

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