Dynamics of probe diffusion in rod solutions.
Applications of probe diffusion in polymer matrices typically envision that for particles sizes (R) larger than the correlation length of the polymer solution (xi), the probe (at long times) diffuses as in a continuum polymer solution. We present simulation results for probe diffusion in rod solutions which challenge this conventional wisdom and indicate a new mechanism of a probe diffusion operative for R>xi. Our simulation results are rationalized by scaling arguments invoking a novel mechanism of the constraint release motion of the rods, and suggest that the dynamical characteristics of the polymer matrix also proves important in developing a complete description of the probe motion.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
Victor
V
Pryamitsyn
Venkat
V
Ganesan
D003198:Computer Simulation; D004058:Diffusion; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010316:Particle Size; D012996:Solutions
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012996:Solutions