2006/03/07 by Federica Lo Verso, Christos N. Likos, Verso, Federica Lo +5
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamics #Scientific Research and Discoveries #Advanced Mathematical Theories and Applications
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.cond-mat/0603152
Conformational properties of star-shaped polymer aggregates that carry attractive end-groups, called telechelic star polymers, are investigated by simulation and analytical variational theory. We focus on the case of low telechelic star polymer functionalities, f ≤ 5, a condition which allows aggregation of all attractive monomers on one site. We establish the functionality- and polymerization-number dependence of the transition temperature from the "star burst'' to the "water melon" macroparticle structure. Extensions to telechelic stars featuring partially collapsed configurations are also discussed.