Skip to main content

Determination of molecular weight by osmotic pressure method

Determination of molecular weight by osmotic pressure method.

Osmotic pressure method is also called membrane osmometry. This method is widely used to determine the number average molecular weight of polymers. This method is based on the phenomenon of osmosis. If a pure solvent is separated from a solution through a semipermeable membrane, due to concentration (chemical potential) difference between the solvent and solution, the solvent will flow into the solution through semipermeable membrane. The pressure applied on the solution to completely stop the flow of solvent into it through semipermeable membrane is called osmotic pressure.
The theory of osmotic pressure also applies to a solution of polymers.
Ordinary solution obeys Van't Hoff equation i.e
π=cRT/M
Where π is osmotic pressure, c  is concentration in mass per unit volume, R is gas constant, T is temperature and M is molar mass.
The polymer solution are non ideal. Taking into account their deviation and using thermodynamics, Memillian and Mayer modified van't Hoff equation for polymers as
π=cRT/Mₙ+ Bc²+Dc³
=> π/c=RT/Mₙ+Bc+Dc²
For dilute polymer solution concentration is small,thus
π/c=RT/Mₙ+Bc
If graph is plotted between π/c vs c ,we get a straight line having slope B and intercept RT/Mₙ.
π/c vs c
π/c vs c.
Thus Mₙ can be calculated.
 Next

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Determination of molecular weight of polymers by viscosity method.

Determination of molecular weight of polymers by viscosity method. It is a simple method for determining the molecular weight of polymers. Addition of polymers in the solvent increases the viscosity of the solvent, due to introduction of inhomogeneities by the polymers. If η₀ is the viscosity of the solvent and η is the viscosity of the solution at the same temperature, then the relative viscosity is given by Relative viscosity. Specific viscosity:  It is defined as the relative increase in viscosity and is given as Specific viscosity. Reduced viscosity: It is defined as the relative increase in viscosity per unit concentration (C) of polymer and is given as Reduced viscosity. Intrinsic viscosity: The reduced viscosity is dependent on concentration (C). If a graph is plotted between  reduced viscosity vs concentration then the extraplotation value when C=0 is called intrinsic viscosity. Intrinsic viscosity. Graph of reduced viscosity vs concentr

Determination of molecular weight by Light scattering method.

Determination of molecular weight by Light scattering method. Due to big size macromolecules in solution, turbidity is produced. The light rays get scattered, when pass through macromolecule solution due to turbidity. The turbidity T is given by Where I₀ is the intensity of incident light. Iₜ is the intensity of transmitted light after passing through a solution of length l.        In case of proteins or higher polymers the turbidity is small and is determine from the intensity of light scattered at 90° to the beam. This can be done by using a simple photometer as shown in figure below. Turbidity increase with increase in concentration as well as molecular weight. The Turbidity is related to molecular weight by the equation given by Debye. Hc/T=1/M+2Bc Where B is second virial coefficient and H is a constant. If we plot a graph between Hc/T vs c we get a straight line with intercept 1/M. Thus This curve was plotted by Zimm, so is called Zimm's Curve. Thus the c

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene (PP). Polypropylene (PP) is also known as polypropene. Polypropylene is made from the polymerisation of propylene gas in the presence of Zeiglar Natta catalyst or metallocene catalyst. Polypropylene. Thus propene (or propylene) is the monomer of polypropylene. Polypropylene is a highly flammable material. It is sensitive to microbial attacks, such as bacteria and mold. It exhibits excellent resistance to diluted and concentrated acids, alcohols and bases. Polypropylene is used to make lunch boxes, margarine containers, yogurt pots, syrup bottles etc. Disposable syringes is the most common medical application of polypropylene. Polypropylene rope and twine are very strong and moisture resistant very suitable for marine applications. Polypropylene, highly colorfast, is widely used in manufacturing carpets, rugs and mats. Uses of Polypropylene. Questions on polypropylene; Q1) What is polypropylene? Ans) Polypropylene is a polymer of propylen