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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 58: Polymer Networks and Elastomers
CPP 58.6: Talk
Friday, March 31, 2023, 11:00–11:15, ZEU 255
A mean field model for reversible networks made of star polymers — •Michael Lang1, Kiran Suresh Kumar1,2, and Jens-Uwe Sommer1,2 — 1Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Institut Theorie der Polymere, Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany — 2Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 17, 01069 Dresden, Germany
We extend our recent approach [1] for linear equilibrium polymers with cyclization towards reversible networks made of star polymers. These model systems are particularly suited to test generalizations of the theory that account for the formation of cyclic network defects. Monte-Carlo simulation data and our mean field model demonstrate that the lack of pending loops in networks made by a hetero-complementary coupling of the stars leads to a pronounced shift of the position of the gel point of conventional networks towards lower concentrations. Larger cyclic structures in the networks, on the contrary, can develop a stabilizing effect on the network structure and can cause a reduction of the critical concentration for gelation for a suitable set of system parameters. Remarkably, this leads then to the opposite effect of finite loops as known for conventional irreversible gels.
[1] Lang, M.; Kumar, K. S. Macromolecules 54 (2021) 7021, 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00718.