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Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.

Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight

Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight

Unlike small molecules with definite molecular weights, polymers are a mixture of individual polymer chains of varying lengths, each with a unique molecular weight. So, the molecular weight of a polymer is expressed as an average value based on the average size of the polymer chains. The two most common forms of averages used for polymers are the number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) is the summation of the number...

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

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Polymers

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...

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Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Polymer Microarrays for High Throughput Discovery of Biomaterials

Polymer Microarrays for High Throughput Discovery of Biomaterials

Published on: January 25, 2012

Sorting polymers by size via an array of viscous posts.

Matthew C VandeSande¹, Daniel J Pasut¹, Hendrick W de Haan¹

¹Faculty of Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON, Canada.

Electrophoresis

|October 5, 2017

Summary

This study explores using viscous nanoposts for DNA fragment sorting. Simulations show increased viscosity slows polymer movement, offering potential for high-resolution biomolecule separation in microfluidic devices.

Keywords:

DNA nanoposts polymer separation simulations

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Area of Science:

Biophysics
Nanotechnology
Polymer Physics

Background:

DNA fragments can be sorted by size using nanopost arrays.
Previous research focused on solid nanoposts for separation.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate the dynamics of polymers through viscous nanoposts.
Compare the performance of viscous versus solid nanoposts for biomolecule sorting.

Main Methods:

Langevin dynamics simulations were employed.
Polymer dynamics were studied across various post viscosities.

Main Results:

Increasing nanopost viscosity decreased polymer mobility.
High viscosity viscous nanoposts showed lower mobility than solid ones.
Viscous and solid nanoposts exhibited distinct polymer interaction dynamics.

Conclusions:

Viscous nanoposts offer a novel mechanism for biomolecule sorting.
This approach may enable high-resolution separation in nanofluidic and microfluidic devices.