title: Asymmetric bridging of interconnected pores by encased semiflexible macromolecules.
abstract: An increase of chain rigidity of macromolecule encased in interconnected cavities leads to bridging conformational transition in which polymer molecule at certain conditions spans the cavities. This is a similar phenomenon to that described for flexible chains on increase of confinement. Chain stiffness introduces, however, a delicate effect of interplay between confinement, chain stiffness, and concentration that leads to a breakup of symmetric bridging conformation to a striking asymmetric conformation even in the symmetric system of cavities. We provide the first data on this transition with complex translocation landscape and offer a tentative explanation.
authors.affiliation: Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84236 Bratislava, Slovakia. cifra@savba.sk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cifra
mesh_terms: D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011108:Polymers