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POLYMER DIMENSIONS IN GOOD SOLVENTS: CROSSOVER FROM SEMIDILUTE TO CONCENTRATED SOLUTIONS

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters

Using small-angle neutron scattering, we studied the variation of the polymer radius of gyration (R{sub g}) as a function of polymer concentration ({phi}) for solutions of a flexible-chain poly(methyl methacrylate) in chloroform. We observed for the first time a distinct crossover between swollen coils in the semidilute regime, where R{sub g}{sup 2{infinity}}{phi}{sup -0.26{+-}0.03}, and unperturbed coils in the concentrated regime, where R{sub g} is independent on concentration. The crossover occurs at {phi}{double_dagger} {approx} 0.15, a value that agrees reasonably well with {phi}{double_dagger} {approx} 0.21 {+-} 0.035, estimated with a scaling relationship between {phi}{double_dagger} and the coil overlap concentration {phi}*.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); High Flux Isotope Reactor
Sponsoring Organization:
SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
979156
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 102; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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