Dynamics of chains and dendrimers with heterogeneous semiflexibility.
Based on our recent model for the dynamics of semiflexlible treelike networks [M. Dolgushev and A. Blumen, J. Chem. Phys. 131, 044905 (2009)], we study the dynamical properties of chain polymers and of dendrimers whose junctions display different stiffness degrees (SD). In these polymers the functionality f of the inner junctions is constant, being f=2 for the linear chains and f=3 for the dendrimers. This allows us to focus on the effects caused by the heterogeneities due to different SD. For this we study alternating, diblock, as well as random arrangements of the SD. Each of these cases shows a particular, macroscopically observable behavior, which allows to distinguish between the different microscopic SD arrangements.
Dolgushev
Maxim
M
Theoretical Polymer Physics, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 3, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany. dolgushev@physik.uni-freiburg.de
Blumen
Alexander
A