| Abstract: | Stretching of flexible macromolecules by an external force, acting on the chain ends, in solvents of variable quality was simulated by the Monte Carlo method on a tetrahedral lattice. The forcelength relations and the stress-induced changes in the population of the gauche conformers were calculated for coils in theta and athermal solvents. In poor solvents, the stretching of a collapsed coil involves a rather abrupt upturn of the force-length curve explained as a transition of a globular coil into an extended coil. In conformity with this interpretation, a bimodal shape of the chain vector distribution function P(R) was found in the intermediate range of deformation of collapsed coils. The significance of the results to the stress-strain behavior of networks with pronounced interaction (such as collapsed gels) are discussed. |
