| Abstract: | An effectively linear molecular weight calibration curve of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was obtained using a copolymer standard with a single broad molecular weight distribution. The molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of PAN obtained from precipitation polymerization of acrylonitrile in supercritical CO2 were quantitated by the calibration curve. The effects of monomer concentration, initiator concentration, the CO2 pressure, and the total reaction time on the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution were studied in detail. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2338–2341, 2002 |
