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Computer simulation studies of static and dynamic scaling in dilute solutions of excluded-volume polymers

Journal Article · · Macromolecules; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ma00039a019· OSTI ID:7049767
 [1];  [2]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
  2. FOM Inst. for Atomic and Molecular Physics, Amsterdam (Netherlands)

The authors have used a novel Monte Carlo method to compute the gyration radius R[sub G] and the hydrodynamic radius R[sub H] of excluded-volume polymer chains. The hydrodynamic radius scales as N[sup [approx]0.55] (N is the number of bonds) over at least a decade of chain lengths, whereas the gyration radius exponent is close to the theoretical value of 0.59. The anomalous behavior of R[sub H] is well-known experimentally; it is commonly attributed to the belief that polymers in mediocre solvents are not swollen on short length scales. However, the polymer chains in the simulations are uniformly swollen on all length scales; the authors suggest that the discreteness of the polymer chain is sufficient to explain the behavior of R[sub H].

DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
7049767
Journal Information:
Macromolecules; (United States), Journal Name: Macromolecules; (United States) Vol. 25:13; ISSN MAMOBX; ISSN 0024-9297
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English