If 200 g of benzoyl peroxide are used with 38 kg of ptfe monomer, calculate the expected molecular weight of the polymer if (i) all the termination occurs by combination (ii) all the termination occurs by disproportionation. assume 15% efficiency for the initiator.

Explanation:

The molecular weight of benzoyl peroxide is 242.23 g/mol.

Therefore, number of moles present in 200 g of benzoyl peroxide are as follows.

            No. of moles =

                                  =

                                  = 0.825 mol

Molecular weight of PTFE is 100 g/mol.Hence, calculate the number of moles of PTFE in 38 kg as follows.

As 1 kg = 1000 g. So, 38 kg = 38000 g.

             No. of moles =

                                  =

                                  = 380 mol

As it is given that the initiator is 15% active. So, actual number of moles of benzoyl peroxide are as follows.

                           = 0.124 mol

For combination, 1 mol of benzoyl peroxide produces 1 chain. Therefore, degree of polymerization will be calculated as follows.

                    DP =    

                          = 3065.33 mol

Average molecular weight of monomer is as follows.

       = 100.05 g/mol

Therefore, calculate the expected molecular weight of polymer as follows.

                     = 306675.23 g/mol

Hence, for disproportion 1 mole benzoyl peroxide produces 2 chains.

                     DP =

                           = 6129.03

Therefore, calculate the expected polymer weight as follows.

                   = 613209.68 g/mol

Thus, we can conclude that the the expected polymer weight is 613209.68 g/mol.