will linear polybutadiene or branched polybutadiene have a higher molar volume?
To determine whether linear polybutadiene or branched polybutadiene will have a higher molar volume, we need to consider their molecular structures.
Linear polybutadiene is a polymer in which the butadiene monomers are connected in a straight chain with little or no branching. On the other hand, branched polybutadiene is a polymer in which the butadiene monomers form a branched structure due to the presence of side chain molecules.
The molar volume of a polymer is influenced by the size and arrangement of its repeating units. In general, branched polymers tend to have a lower molar volume compared to their linear counterparts. This is because the presence of branching disrupts the packing of polymer chains, resulting in increased free volume and lower density.
The increased free volume in branched polybutadiene allows the polymer chains to move more freely and occupy a larger volume on a molar basis. Consequently, branched polybutadiene typically exhibits a higher molar volume compared to linear polybutadiene.
Therefore, in this case, branched polybutadiene is expected to have a higher molar volume than linear polybutadiene.