An off-lattice Monte Carlo algorithm for solutions of equilibrium polymers (EPs) is proposed. At low and moderate densities this is shown to reproduce faithfully the (static) properties found recently for flexible linear EPs using a lattice model. The molecular weight distribution (MWD) is well described in the dilute limit by a Schultz-Zimm distribution and becomes purely exponential in the semidilute limit. Additionally, very concentrated molten systems are studied. The MWD remains a pure exponential in contrast to recent claims. The mean chain mass is found to increase faster with density than in the semidilute regime due to additional entropic interactions generated by the dense packing of spheres. We also consider systems in which the formation of rings is allowed so that both the linear chains and the rings compete for the monomers. In agreement with earlier predictions the MWD of the rings reveals a strong singularity whereas the MWD of the coexisting linear chains remains essentially unaffected.

• Received 6 October 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.61.2959