Simple method to analyze the molecular weight of polymers using cyclic voltammetry

Abstract

In this study, we have developed a novel electrochemical method based on cyclic voltammetry to measure the molecular weight of polymers. As the molecular weight of a polymer increases, the viscosity of the corresponding polymer solution also increases. This hinders the diffusion of redox species in the solution, resulting in a proportional decrease in the steady-state current. These changes allow us to measure the molecular weight of a polymer in solution more rapidly and easily than when using conventional methods. Herein, we have verified the proposed method by applying it to measure the molecular weight of poly(methyl methacrylate) in solutions.