Dimension of heterogeneous network architecture formed in emulsion cross‐linking copolymerization

Abstract

AbstractThe mean‐square radius of gyration Rg2 and the graph diameter D of highly heterogeneous network polymers formed in emulsion vinyl/divinyl copolymerization are investigated to find a linear relationship, Rg2 = a D. The proportionality coefficient, a, is dominated by the cycle (circuit) rank, kc, or the number of intramolecular cross‐links. The magnitude of a is slightly larger than that for the random cross‐linked network polymers, but the functional form of a (kc) is simply proportional to that for the random networks proposed earlier. This relationship makes it possible to determine Rg2 based on D and kc, enabling quick estimation of Rg2 for large network polymers. It is found that the contraction factor g of the present heterogeneous network polymer is larger than that for the homogeneous networks formed through random cross‐linking of polymer chains. The ratio of these two contraction factors is kept constant, irrespective of the magnitude of kc.