Question

Why does branching reduce the rate of polymerization in chain growth polymer?

Answer 1

Explanation:

In polymer chemistry, branching occurs by the replacement of a substituent, e.g., a hydrogen atom, on a monomer subunit, by another covalently bonded chain of that polymer; or, in the case of a graft copolymer, by a chain of another type.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Branching is caused during polymerization at high pressure by growth sometimes starting from an initiation point in a chain rather than at the end. An alternative way of making polyethylene is at low pressure using a special catalyst, and this usually results in a highly linear chain without branching (HDPE).