Berlin 2001 – scientific programme

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CPP: Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 6: Polymer Networks

CPP 6.1: Talk

Tuesday, April 3, 2001, 15:45–16:05, 112

The role of topological disorder in polymer networks — •Jens-Uwe Sommer — Institut de Chimie des Surfaces et Interfaces, CNRS, 15, rue Jean Starcky, F-68057 Mulhouse, Frankreich

0pt Polymer networks are obtained by randomly creating chemical cross-links in a polymer melt. As has been shown by computer simulations [1,2] the cross-linking topology differs strongly from a regular three-dimensional connectivity even far above the gel point. Starting from this observation a model has been developed in which clusters consisting of many network strands form the elementary units for the description of polymer networks. In order to obtain analytical results this clusters are considered to be self-similar which is also supported by computer simulations. Now, using a scaling approach various experimental observations can be explained, such as the anomalous swelling behavior as observed in differential swelling experiments [1], the phase morphology of cross-linked polymer blends [2] as well as the swelling of polymer networks in their own melt.

[1] J.-U. Sommer, T.A. Vilgis and G. Heinrich, J.Chem.Phys. 100 9181 (1994); H.L. Trautenberg, J.-U. Sommer and D. Göritz, Trans. Fard. Soc. 91 2649 (1995)

[2] S. Lay, J.-U. Sommer and A. Blumen, J.Chem.Phys. 113 11355 (2000)

[3] J.-U. Sommer, T. Russ, R. Brenn and M. Geoghegan, Preprint (2001)