Hydrodynamic and conformational properties of a hyperbranched polymethylallylcarbosilane in dilute solutions

The hydrodynamic and conformational properties of a hyperbranched polymethylallylcarbosilane in hexane solutions have been studied by light scattering, sedimentation, translational diffusion, and viscometry. Fractions with M = (1–75) × 10 3 have been used in experiments. The solution behavior of the hyperbranched polymer significantly differs from the properties of both spherical particles and linear polymers. The shape of hyperbranched polymethylallylcarbosilane macromolecules differs from spherical—the asymmetry factor is p ≤ 1.5. Polymethylallylcarbosilane macromolecules in solutions are characterized by compact structure—the hydrodynamic radius is not higher than 4 nm at M = 75 × 10 3 .