Molecular weight distribution of comb polymers by chain polymerization with macromonomer

A chain copolymerization of macromonomers generates branched polymers with comb structure. This work presents analytical expressions to predict the bivariate distributions of molecular weight and branching density for the comb polymers. The macromonomers are assumed to have a random or uniform distribution. The distribution functions are determined by the average number of branching points per backbone chain and the ratio of the average lengths of backbone and side chains. The model is applicable for short-chain, long-chain, and star-shaped comb branching.