Interplay of Spatial and Topological Defects in Polymer Networks.

ABSTRACT: Polymer networks are widely used in applications, and the formation of a network and its gel point can be predicted. However, the effects of spatial and topological heterogeneity on the resulting network structure and ultimately the mechanical properties, are less understood. To address this challenge, we generate in silico random networks of cross-linked polymer chains with controlled spatial and topological defects. While all fully reacted networks investigated in this study have the same number of end-functionalized polymer strands and cross-linkers, we vary the degree of spatial and topological heterogeneities systematically. We find that spatially heterogeneous cross-linker distributions result in a reduction in the network's primary loops with increased spatial heterogeneity, the opp

SUBMITTER: Argun BR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11191592 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature