Scaling Theory of a Polymer Ejecting from a Cavity into a Semi-Space.

ABSTRACT: A two-stage model is developed in order to understand the scaling behaviors of single polymers ejecting from a spherical cavity through a nanopore. The dynamics of ejection is derived by balancing the free energy change with the energy dissipation during a process. The ejection velocity is found to vary with the number of monomers in the cavity, m, as mz1/(Nx1D3z1) at the confined stage, and it turns to be m-z2 at the non-confined stage, where N is the chain length and D the cavity diameter. The exponents are shown to be z1=(3ν-1)-1, z2=2ν and x1=1/3, with ν being the Flory exponent. The profile of the velocity is carefully verified by performing Langevin dynamics simulations. The simulations further reveal that, at the starting point, the decreasing of m can be stalled for a good moment.

SUBMITTER: Hsiao PY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7766115 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature