Dispersity as a distribution ratio
Research context
postgraduate concept · established · As of 2026-10-10
Molar-mass dispersity is the ratio of mass-average to number-average molar mass.
Key knowledge
Molar-mass dispersity is the ratio of mass-average to number-average molar mass. Equal averages or a single dispersity value do not uniquely identify the distribution shape, high-mass tail, branching or morphology.
Values and equations
D_M = M_w / M_n
- D_M
- molar-mass dispersity 1
- M_w
- mass-average molar mass g mol^-1
- M_n
- number-average molar mass g mol^-1
Conditions and scope
- Specify molar-mass rather than degree-of-polymerization dispersity and the analytical method; real mixtures may be multimodal.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Dispersity in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 2009): Definitions of molar-mass and degree-of-polymerization dispersity (publisher definition abstract)
2026-10-10 · Bounded author source inspection of dispersity as a distribution ratio, including the stated conditions; independent branch review is recorded separately.
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- res-chem-dispersity
- Revision
- research.1
- Structured reference record
- Postgraduate & research reference