Molecular scale dynamics of large ring polymers

We present neutron scattering data on the structure and dynamics of melts from polyethylene oxide rings with molecular weights up to ten times the entanglement mass of the linear counterpart. The data reveal a very compact conformation displaying a structure approaching a mass fractal, as hypothesiz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2014-10, Vol.113 (16), p.168302-168302, Article 168302
Main Authors: Gooßen, S, Brás, A R, Krutyeva, M, Sharp, M, Falus, P, Feoktystov, A, Gasser, U, Pyckhout-Hintzen, W, Wischnewski, A, Richter, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Architecture
Dynamical systems
Dynamics
Evolution
Fractals
Melts
Models, Chemical
Molecular structure
Molecular Weight
Neutron Diffraction
Polyethylene Glycols - chemistry
Rings (mathematics)
Thermodynamics
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Summary:We present neutron scattering data on the structure and dynamics of melts from polyethylene oxide rings with molecular weights up to ten times the entanglement mass of the linear counterpart. The data reveal a very compact conformation displaying a structure approaching a mass fractal, as hypothesized by recent simulation work. The dynamics is characterized by a fast Rouse relaxation of subunits (loops) and a slower dynamics displaying a lattice animal-like loop displacement. The loop size is an intrinsic property of the ring architecture and is independent of molecular weight. This is the first experimental observation of the space-time evolution of segmental motion in ring polymers illustrating the dynamic consequences of their topology that is unique among all polymeric systems of any other known architecture.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.168302