Molecular Scale Dynamics of Large Ring Polymers

Goossen, Sebastian; Krutyeva, M.; Wischnewski, A.; Richter, D.; Pyckhout-Hintzen, W.; Bras, Ana; Gasser, U.; Sharp, M.; Feoktystov, A.; Falus, P.

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.168302

Journal Article

FZJ-2014-05270

Molecular Scale Dynamics of Large Ring Polymers

Goossen, S. (Corresponding Author)FZJ* ; Bras, A.FZJ* ; Krutyeva, M.FZJ* ; Sharp, M. ; Falus, P. ; Feoktystov, A.FZJ* ; Gasser, U. ; Pyckhout-Hintzen, W.FZJ* ; Wischnewski, A.FZJ* ; Richter, D.FZJ*

2014
APS College Park, Md.

Physical review letters 113(16), 168302 (2014) [10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.168302]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/8025 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.168302

Abstract: We present neutron scattering data on the structure and dynamics of melts from polyethylene oxide rings with molecular weights up to ten times the entanglement mass of the linear counterpart. The data reveal a very compact conformation displaying a structure approaching a mass fractal, as hypothesized by recent simulation work. The dynamics is characterized by a fast Rouse relaxation of subunits (loops) and a slower dynamics displaying a lattice animal-like loop displacement. The loop size is an intrinsic property of the ring architecture and is independent of molecular weight. This is the first experimental observation of the space-time evolution of segmental motion in ring polymers illustrating the dynamic consequences of their topology that is unique among all polymeric systems of any other known architecture.

Keyword(s): Polymers, Soft Nano Particles and Proteins (1st) ; Key Technologies (1st) ; Soft Matter, Macromolecules, Complex fluids, Biophysics (1st) ; Soft Condensed Matter (2nd)

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