Physical Networks from Multifunctional Telechelic Star Polymers: A Rheological Study by Experiments and Simulations.

ABSTRACT: The equilibrium mechanical properties of a cross-linked gel of telechelic star polymers are studied by rheology and Brownian dynamics simulations. The Brownian dynamics model consists of cores to which Rouse arms are attached. Forces between the cores are obtained from a potential of mean force model developed by Likos and co-workers. Both experimentally and in the simulations, networks were created by attaching sticker groups to the ends of the arms of the polymers, which were next allowed to form bonds among them in a one to one fashion. Simulations were sped up by solving the Rouse dynamics exactly. Moreover, the Rouse model was extended to allow for different frictions on different beads. In order to describe the rheology of the non-cross-linked polymers, it had to be assumed that bead

SUBMITTER: Metri V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5997402 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature