Thermodynamics of homogeneous equilibrium copolymerization from the point of view of the Flory-Huggins theory

A general treatment of the thermodynamics of binary copolymerization from the point of view of the Flory-Huggins theory is given. The relations allow one to determine, on the basis of experimental data, the thermodynamic parameters of copolymerization and the parameters of intercomponent interaction (χ). On the other hand, when these parameters are known, it is possible to predict, for any initial set of conditions, the equilibrium concentrations of comonomers and the equilibrium microstructure of a copolymer. The presented simulations indicate that positive values of interaction parameters increase the volume fractions of copolymer units in equilibrium with comonomers, in comparison to an analogous copolymerization system without intercomponent interactions.