GesamtpolymerisationsgradN

Gesamtpolymeri is a nonstandard term that can appear in discussions of polymer science to denote the total amount of polymeric material present in a mixture. In practice, it refers to the combined mass or mole fraction of all species treated as polymeric, including high-molecular-weight chains, oligomers, and sometimes cyclic polymers, regardless of origin or chemical identity. Because its definition is context dependent, different studies may count different species as part of the Gesamtpolymeri, leading to ambiguity. Consequently, researchers often use more precise terms such as polymer content, polymer fraction, or polymer mass fraction when reporting results.

Quantification typically requires separating or classifying species by molecular size. A common approach is to define a molecular-weight cutoff and sum all material above that threshold. Analytical techniques include size-exclusion chromatography (SEC or GPC) with refractive-index or UV detection, often coupled to multi-angle light scattering (MALS) to determine weight-average and number-average molecular weights. Gravimetric or elemental analyses after selective dissolution or precipitation can provide corroborating measures, particularly for polymer-rich phases in composites or blends. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy may help identify polymeric versus non-polymeric components, though it rarely yields a direct Gesamtpolymeri value.

The concept matters for rheology, processing, and recycling, because the total polymer content governs viscosity, gelation behavior, and compatibility with solvents or matrices. It also relates to the molecular-weight distribution, captured by Mn, Mw, and the polydispersity index. In standard practice, researchers report explicit fractions by molecular weight and concentration rather than a single Gesamtpolymeri value.