Explanation of anomalous scaling of swollen entangled chains

The unexpected scaling dependence R-n similar to n(0.72) of the size Rn of the chain section with n monomers observed in recent numerical simulations of a swollen network and globule is explained on the basis of the slip-tube model. We demonstrate that the anomalous exponent 0.72 is the result of a crossover between swollen chain scaling with Flory exponent 0.6 on small length scales and chain stretching with exponent 1 on larger length scales. This picture confirms that swelling of network chains occurs by their disinterpenetration on small length scales.

Duke Scholars

Author Michael Rubinstein Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...