Properties of Star-Branched Polymer Chains Near a Surface

We considered two model systems of star-branched polymers near an impenetrable surface. The model chains were constructed on a simple cubic lattice. Each star polymer consisted of f = 3 arms of equal length and the total number of segments was up to 799. The excluded volume effect was included into these models only and therefore the system was studied at good solvent conditions. In the first model system polymer chain was terminally attached with one arm to the surface. The grafted arm could slide along the surface. In the second system the star-branched chain was adsorbed on the surface and the strength of adsorption was were varied. The simulations were performed using the dynamic Monte Carlo method with local changes of chain conformations. The internal and local structures of a polymer layer were determined. The lateral diffusion and internal mobility of star-branched chains were studied as a function of strength of adsorption and the chain length. The lateral diffusion and internal mobility of star-branched chains were studied as a function of strength of adsorption and the chain length. It was shown that the behavior of grafted and weakly adsorbed chains was similar to that of a free three-dimensional polymer, while the strongly adsorbed chains behave as a two-dimensional system.     

Dynamics of grafted star-branched polymers. A Monte Carlo study

Monte Carlo simulations of simple models of star-branched polymers were carried out. The model chains were confined to simple cubic lattice and consisted of f = 3 branches of equal length and the total number of polymer segments as well as the density of grafted chains on the surface were varied. The chains have had one arm end attached to an impenetrable plate. The simulations were performed by employing the set of local micromodifications of the chain conformations. The model chains were athermal, i.e. good solvent conditions were modeled, the excluded volume effect was present at the model. The density of grafted chains on the surface was varied from a single chain up to 0.3. The static and dynamic properties of the system were studied. The influence of polymer concentration as well as the polymer length on static and dynamic properties of the system studied was shown. The relation between the structure and short-time dynamics (relaxation times) was discussed.     

Properties of star-branched and linear chains in confined space: a computer simulation study

We studied the properties of simple models of linear and star-branched polymer chains confined in a slit. The polymer chains were built of united atoms and were restricted to a simple cubic lattice. Two macromolecular architectures of the chain linear and star-branched with three branches (of equal length) were studied. The excluded volume was the only potential introduced into the model and thus, the system was athermal. The chains were put between two parallel and impenetrable surfaces. Monte Carlo simulations with a sampling algorithm based on chain’s local changes of conformation were carried out. The differences and similarities in the global size and the structure and of linear and star-branched chains were shown and discussed.     

Dynamics of star branched polymers in a matrix of linear chains — a Monte Carlo study

A simple cubic lattice model of the melt of 3-arm star-branched polymers of various length dissolved in a matrix of long linear chains (n₁ = 800 beads) is studied using a dynamic Monte Carlo method. The total polymer volume fraction is equal to 0,5, while the volume fraction of the star polymers is about ten times smaller. The static and dynamic properties of these systems are compared with the corresponding model systems of isolated star-branched polymers and with the melt of linear chains. It has been found that the number of dynamic entanglements for the star polymers with arm length up to 400 segments is too small for the onset of the arm retraction mechanism of polymer relaxation. In this regime dynamics of star-branched polymers is close to the dynamics of linear polymers at corresponding concentration and with equivalent chain length. The entanglement length for star polymers appears to be somewhat larger compared with linear chains.     

Properties of branched confined polymers

A model of star-branched polymer chains confined in a slit formed by two parallel surfaces was studied. The chains were embedded to a simple cubic lattice and consisted of f=3 branches of equal length. The macromolecules had the excluded volume and the confining surfaces were impenetrable for polymer segments. No attractive interactions between polymer segments and then between polymer segments and the surfaces were assumed and therefore the system was a thermal. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out employing the sampling algorithm based on chain's local changes of conformation. Lateral diffusion of star-branched chains was studied. Dynamic properties of star-branched chains between the walls with impenetrable rod-like obstacles were also studied and compared to the previous case. The density profiles of polymer segments on the slit were determined. The analysis of contacts between the polymer chain and the surfaces was also carried out.     

Monte carlo study of the dynamics of star-branched polymers

A uniform star-branched polymer model with f = 3 arms based on a simple cubic lattice was studied by means of the dynamic Monte Carlo method. The model chain is athermal with excluded-volume interactions and it is flexible. A new type of local micromodification was introduced to make the branching point movable. Static properties of the star polymer are in accordance with other theoretical predictions and experimental evidence. Scaling of the self diffusion constant and the terminal relaxation times is close to those of the Rouse theory and to simulation results of linear chains.     

The Structure of Star-Branched Chains in a Confined Space

Summary. We studied the properties of a simplified model of star-branched polymers confined in a slit formed by two parallel and impenetrable surfaces. The chains were built of identical united atoms (segments) whose positions were restricted to vertices of a simple cubic lattice. The polymer excluded volume and polymer segment-surface contact interactions were also introduced into the model. The properties of the model chains were determined by means of Monte Carlo simulations with a Metropolis-type sampling algorithm based on local changes of chain’s conformation. The structure of star-branched chains was investigated and the influence of the confinement and the temperature on the chain dimensions and structure was studied. It was shown that for chains in the adsorbing slits their sizes do not exhibit a universal behavior contrary to confined athermal polymers. The polymers in narrow slits at higher temperatures still exhibited features of a three-dimensional chain. It was also shown that chains in small slits and at low temperatures were fully adsorbed at one of the surfaces but could also switch the surface rapidly.     

Star-branched polymers in an adsorbing slit: a Monte Carlo study

A coarse-grained model of star-branched polymer chains confined in a slit was studied. The slit was formed by two parallel impenetrable surfaces, which were attractive for polymer beads. The polymer chains were flexible homopolymers built of identical united atoms whose positions in space were restricted to the vertices of a simple cubic lattice. The chains were regular star polymers consisted of f = 3 branches of equal length. The chains were modeled in good solvent conditions and, thus, there were no long-range specific interactions between the polymer beads-only the excluded volume was present. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out using the algorithm based on a chain's local changes of conformation. The influence of the chain length, the distances between the confining surfaces, and the strength of the adsorption on the properties of the star-branched polymers was studied. It was shown that the universal behavior found previously for the dimension of chains was not valid for some dynamic properties. The strongly adsorbed chains can change their position so that they swap between both surfaces with frequency depending on the size of the slit and on the temperature only.     

Investigating the Dynamic Viscoelasticity of Single Polymer Chains using Atomic Force Microscopy

In single‐molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), many studies have focused on the elasticity and conformation of polymer chains, but little attention has been devoted to the dynamic properties of single polymer chains. In this study, we measured the energy dissipation and elastic properties of single polystyrene (PS) chains in toluene, methanol, and N,N‐dimethylformamide using a homemade piezo‐control and data acquisition system externally coupled to a commercial atomic force microscope (AFM), which provided more accurate information regarding the dynamic properties of the PS chains. We quantitatively measured the chain length‐dependent changes in the stiffness and viscosity of a single chain using a phenomenological model consistent with the theory of viscoelasticity for polymer chains in dilute solution. The effective viscosity of a polymer chain can be determined using the Kirkwood model, which is independent of the intrinsic viscosity of the solvent and dependent on the interaction between the polymer and solvent. The results indicated that the viscosity of a single PS chain is dominated by the interaction between the polymer and solvent. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 1736–1743     

A simple model of stiff and flexible polymer chain adsorption: the influence of the internal chain architecture

In this study, we investigated the process of random sequential adsorption of stiff and flexible polymer chains on a two-dimensional square lattice. The polymer chains were represented by sequence of lattice points forming needles, T shapes, and crosses as well as flexible linear chains and star-branched chains consisted of three and four arms. The Monte Carlo method was employed to generate the model systems. The percolation threshold and the jamming threshold were determined for all systems under consideration. The influence of the chain length and the chain architecture on both thresholds was calculated and discussed. The changes in the ordering of the system were also studied.     

Dielectric relaxation of polymer networks built from macromolecules with dipole moment directed along the end-to-end chain vector

The dielectric relaxation properties are considered for polymer networks built from polar macromolecules with the dipole moment directed along the end-to-end chain vector. The viscoeleastic cubic model of a regular network is used. The fixed average volume of a polymer network is ensured by the effective internal pressure. The dynamic models of polymer networks with external and interchain friction are studied. Two cases are considered: (1) polar chains cross-linked in a network at their ends, and (2) a densely cross-linked network with many network junctions per polar chain. The expressions for the autocorrelation functions of the total dipole moment of a network, which determine the dielectric susceptibility, are calculated. The relaxation spectrum of the autocorrelation function consists of two regions: the high-frequency relaxation spectrum of a chain fragment between two neighbouring junctions (intrachain relaxation spectrum) and the lowfrequency interchain relaxation spectrum. The interchain relaxation spectrum is determined by cooperative motions of chains which form a network. The characteristic time of this spectrum for networks of type (1) is the relaxation time of a chain between junctions τ_min. For networks of type (2) a second time scale τ₁ exists, which corresponds to motions inside the volume occupied by a single long polar chain included in a network. It leads to different time behaviour of the autocorrelation functions for both network models. The existence of only interchain friction in the network model leads to a cut-off of the relaxation spectrum at the time τ_max depending on the volume of viscous interchain interactions.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of a 1D coordination polymer[Ni(phth)(phen)(H2O)] n · n H2O

A new one-dimensional coordination polymer [Ni(phth)(phen)(H₂O)] _n ?·?nH₂O was synthesized. The structure was determined by X-ray crystallography revealing that each nickel atom is five-coordinate bridged via phthalate ion to form a zigzag chain. The chains are further linked together via hydrogen-bonding interactions to construct a three dimensional supramolecular network. The magnetic properties of the complex show that there are weak antiferromagnetic interactions between Ni(II) centers.     

Successive Synthesis of Well-Defined Star-Branched Polymers by “Convergent” Iterative Methodology Using Core-Functionalized 3-Arm Star-Branched Polymer and a Specially Designed 1,1-Diphenylethylene Derivative

The synthesis of well-defined regular and miktoarm star-branched polymers by a convergent iterative methodology using core-functionalized 3-arm star-branched polymer with 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) moiety and a specially designed DPE derivative is described. The methodology involves the following two reaction steps in the entire iterative synthetic sequence: 1) a coupling reaction of a star-branched polymer having an anion at the core with a DPE derivative with two benzyl bromide moieties, 1-{4-[5,5-bis(3-bromomethylphenyl)-7-methylnonyl]phenyl}-1-phenylethylene, and 2) an addition reaction of the resulting core-DPE-functionalized star-branched polymer with sec-BuLi to convert the DPE moiety to a DPE-derived anion. The iterative synthetic sequence including these two reaction steps, 1) and 2), was repeated to successively synthesize star-branched polymers with more arms. Iteration of this synthetic sequence doubled the number of the arms in the star-branched polymer. With this methodology, 6-arm, 12-arm, and 14-arm regular star-branched polystyrenes as well as 6-arm A₂B₂C₂, A₄B₂, and 12-arm A₄B₄C₄ and A₈B₄ miktoarm star-branched polymers with well-defined structures have been successfully synthesized.     

Effect and Mechanism of Solvent Properties on Solution Behavior and Films Condensed State Structure for the Semi-rigid Conjugated Polymers

Solvents have an essential association with polymer solution behavior. However, few researches have been deeply done on this respect. In recent years, our research group focus on the study on effect of solvent properties on solution behavior and film condensed state structure for semi-rigid conjugated polymer up till to apply for optoelectronic device. Herein, influence of solvent properties including solubility of solvent, aromaticity, polarity and hydrogen bonds on semi-rigid polymer chain sol...     

Molten globule state in homopolymers:A Monte Carlo study

Simple models of polymer chains were based on a simple cubic lattice. The model chains were star‐branched with f = 3 and f = 6 branches. The attractive potential between polymer segments was introduced to study the properties of polymer chains in the different temperature regimes. The computer simulations were carried out by means of the dynamic Monte Carlo method. It was found that contrary to recent real experiments, the ratio of the radius of gyration to the hydrodynamic radius did not exhibit a maximum near the coil‐globule transition but decreased monotonically with the temperature. The distribution of polymer‐polymer contacts and their lifetimes were also studied. It appeared that in homopolymer chains the lifetimes of these contacts were very short. At low temperatures contacts were distributed over the entire chain and at high temperatures only contacts that were close to the chain survived longer times.     

Heterogeneities in Polymer Structural and Dynamic Properties in Graphene and Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites: Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The effect of graphene (G) and graphene oxide (GO), used as the nanofiller in polymer nanocomposites (NC), on the structural and dynamic properties of polymer chains, has been studied by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Two polymers, i.e., poly(propylene) and poly(vinyl alcohol), are employed as matrices to cover a wider range of polymer–filler interactions. The local structural properties, e.g., density profile, average R _g, and end‐to‐end distance as well as dynamic properties, e.g., estimated translational and orientational relaxation times, of polymer chains are studied. In addition, the interaction energies are estimated between polymers and nanofillers for different hybrid systems using MD pullout simulations. Strong heterogeneities in polymer structural and dynamic properties have been observed such that chains are more oriented and exhibit slower dynamics in the vicinity of the nanofillers (G and GO) as compared to bulk. It is also found that the orientation of polymer chains at the interface is more influenced by the nanofiller in such a way that the more oriented polymer chains are observed in G‐based NC for both polymers. However, the immobilization of polymer chains at the interface proves to be very much dependent on the polymer–filler interactions.

     

Dynamics of Adsorbed Star‐Branched Polymer Chains: A Computer Simulation Study

The simple cubic‐lattice model of polymer chains was used to study the dynamic properties of adsorbed, branched polymers. The model star‐branched chains consisted of f = 3 arms of equal lengths. The chain was modeled with excluded volume, that is, in good solvent conditions. The only interaction assumed was a contact potential between polymer segments and an impenetrable surface. This potential was varied to cover both weak and strong adsorption regimes. The classical Metropolis sampling algorithm was used for models of star‐branched polymers in order to calculate the dynamic properties of adsorbed chains. It was shown that long‐time dynamics (diffusion constant) and short‐time dynamics (the longest relaxation time) were different for weak and strong adsorption. The diffusion of weakly adsorbed chains was found to be qualitatively the same as for free nonadsorbed chains, whereas strongly adsorbed chains behaved like two‐dimensional polymers. The time‐dependent properties of structural elements such as tails, loops, and trains were also determined.

The mean lifetimes of tails, loops, and trains versus the bead number for the chain with N = 799 beads for the case of the weak adsorption ε_a = −0.3.     

Motion of star‐branched chains in polymer networks: a Monte Carlo study

A simple model of branched polymers in confined space is developed. Star‐branched polymer molecules are built on a simple cubic lattice with excluded volume and no attractive interactions (good solvent conditions). A single star molecule is trapped in a network of linear polymer chains of restricted mobility. The simulations are carried out using the classical Metropolis algorithm. Static and dynamic properties of the star‐branched polymer are determined using various networks. The dependence of the longest relaxation time and the self‐diffusion coefficient on chain length and network properties are discussed and the proper scaling laws formulated. The possible mechanism of motion is discussed. The differences between the motion of star‐branched polymers in such a network are compared with the cases of a dense matrix of linear chains and regular rod‐like obstacles.     

Open spaces and molecular motions of polyether-based network polymers probed by positron annihilation

The lifetimes of positrons have been measured for network polymers based on polyethers. From the temperature dependence of the lifetime of ortho-positronium (o-Ps), τ₃, for the network polymer of poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) [P(EO/PO)], an onset temperature for limited local motions of molecules, T_γ, and the glass transition temperature, T_g, were determined to be 57 and 201 K, respectively. For the network polymer of poly[EO-co-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl glycidyl ether] [P(EO/MEEGE)], T_γ and T_g were determined to be 57 and 185 K, respectively. For both specimens, above 270 K, the observed linear temperature dependence of τ₃ was attributed to the thermal expansion of open spaces in a liquid state. In the temperature range between T_γ and 270 K, for the P(EO/MEEGE) network, τ₃ was longer and its intensity was smaller than those for the P(EO/PO) network. These results were attributed to the increase in the size of open spaces for the P(EO/MEEGE) network polymer and the blocking of these regions by motions of side chains and chain ends. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1919–1925, 1998     

Swelling,elasticity and structure of hydrogels prepared via bis-macromonomers of poly(ethylene oxide)

The effect of swelling on the shear modulus was studied for hydrogels prepared by radical polymerization of methacrylate-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) bis-macromonomers of different molecular weight. Gels made of long chains (M = 12000 or 6000) display classical softening upon swelling, whereas gels made of shorter chains (M = 4000 or 2000) remain rigid or even stiffen. The abnormal behaviour is explained by a specific character of network junctions presented by polymethacrylate chains in which each unit is linked with a PEO network chain. It is assumed that the interactions among densely grafted PEO chains result in their stretching on polymerization and non-affine deformation on swelling, which stiffen the gel. This is verified by the data on copolymer (macromonomers - 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) gels that have lesser densities of PEO chains attached to the junctions and show weaker stiffening on swelling. The osmotic pressure of gels was estimated from the swelling pressure and shear modulus. Similar to the mixing pressure of equivalent PEO solutions, it varies as the 9/4 power of polymer concentration. At the same time, it is lower than the mixing pressure. This indicates that the junctions make only quantitative changes in the osmotic properties of macromonomer chains.