Theoretical depolymerization kinetics. IV. Effect of a volatile fraction on the degradation of an initial “most probable” polymer

The effect of volatilization of molecules larger than monomer has been introduced into the solution of the Simha, Wall, and Blatz kinetic equations for the degradation of a high polymer with an initial “most probable” distribution. Equations describing the rate of sample weight and average molecular weight change result. They differ from the previous “most probable” equations primarily in the presence of an additive term representing the random splitting near the chain ends due to bond scission or transfer attack. Equations are also obtained for the rate of formation of each volatile species and hence the product distribution. The effect of volatilization of larger fragments is discussed in detail for the special case of random scission initiation. The product distribution is discussed for two special cases.