Polydisperse
Encyclopedia
A collection of objects is called polydisperse or polysized if they have a broad range of size, shape and mass characteristics. A sample of objects that have a uniform size, shape and mass distribution are called monodisperse
. In practice, polydisperse collections are common because it is relatively easy to create a polydisperse collection of particles, objects or polymers. Monodisperse collections, on the other hand, are extremely uncommon because the technological challenges that must be overcome in order to produce such collections are often enormous.
For example: polymers are polydisperse whereas water, alcohol etc. are monodisperse.
Examples:
Polymers: Most will possess a distribution of molecular mass
Particles: Most manufactured particles will possess a wide distribution of size, surface area and mass
Thin-films: Most thin-films will possess a varied distribution of film thickness.
Monodisperse
A collection of objects are called monodisperse, or monosized, if they have the same size and shape when discussing particles, and the same mass when discussing polymers...
. In practice, polydisperse collections are common because it is relatively easy to create a polydisperse collection of particles, objects or polymers. Monodisperse collections, on the other hand, are extremely uncommon because the technological challenges that must be overcome in order to produce such collections are often enormous.
For example: polymers are polydisperse whereas water, alcohol etc. are monodisperse.
Examples:
Polymers: Most will possess a distribution of molecular mass
Molecular mass
The molecular mass of a substance is the mass of one molecule of that substance, in unified atomic mass unit u...
Particles: Most manufactured particles will possess a wide distribution of size, surface area and mass
Thin-films: Most thin-films will possess a varied distribution of film thickness.