Threading-Induced Dynamical Transition in Tadpole-Shaped Polymers

Author(s)
Angelo Rosa, Jan Smrek, Matthew S. Turner, Davide Michieletto
Abstract

The relationship between polymer topology and bulk Theology remains a key question in soft matter physics. Architecture-specific constraints (or threadings) are thought to control the dynamics of ring polymers in ring-linear blends, which thus affects the viscosity to range between that of the pure rings and a value larger, but still comparable to, that of the pure linear melt. Here we consider qualitatively different systems of linear and ring polymers, fused together in "chimeric" architectures. The simplest example of this family is a "tadpole"-shaped polymer, a single ring fused to the end of a single linear chain. We show that polymers with this architecture display a threading-induced dynamical transition that substantially slows chain relaxation. Our findings shed light on how threadings control dynamics and may inform design principles for chimeric polymers with topologically tunable bulk theological properties.

Organisation(s)
Computational and Soft Matter Physics
External organisation(s)
Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, University of Warwick, University of Edinburgh, Kyoto University, University of Bath
Journal
ACS Macro Letters
Volume
9
Pages
743-748
No. of pages
6
ISSN
2161-1653
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00197
Publication date
05-2020
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103023 Polymer physics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Materials Chemistry, Polymers and Plastics, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/3100fc54-c90e-46c5-837a-97a74a038df7