Scattering from Solutions of Star Polymers

Details Scattering from Solutions of Star Polymers Scattering from Solutions of Star Polymers

1997-04-16

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/9704144v1

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

REVTeX, 12 pages, 4 eps figures

Scientific paper

10.1007/s100510050322

We calculate the scattering intensity of dilute and semi-dilute solutions of star polymers. The star conformation is described by a model introduced by Daoud and Cotton. In this model, a single star is regarded as a spherical region of a semi-dilute polymer solution with a local, position dependent screening length. For high enough concentrations, the outer sections of the arms overlap and build a semi-dilute solution (a sea of blobs) where the inner parts of the actual stars are embedded. The scattering function is evaluated following a method introduced by Auvray and de Gennes. In the dilute regime there are three regions in the scattering function: the Guinier region (low wave vectors, q R << 1) from where the radius of the star can be extracted; the intermediate region (1 << q R << f^(2/5)) that carries the signature of the form factor of a star with f arms: I(q) ~ q^(-10/3); and a high wavevector zone (q R >> f^(2/5)) where the local swollen structure of the polymers gives rise to the usual q^(-5/3) decay. In the semi-dilute regime the different stars interact strongly, and the scattered intensity acquires two new features: a liquid peak that develops at a reciprocal position corresponding to the star-star distances; and a new large wavevector contribution of the form q^(-5/3) originating from the sea of blobs.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Scattering from Solutions of Star Polymers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Scattering from Solutions of Star Polymers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Scattering from Solutions of Star Polymers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-279704