Multiscale Dynamics of Inhomogeneity-Free Polymer Gels

Hiroi, Takashi; Ohl, Michael; Sakai, Takamasa; Shibayama, Mitsuhiro

doi:10.1021/ma402439v

Journal Article

FZJ-2015-01178

Multiscale Dynamics of Inhomogeneity-Free Polymer Gels

Hiroi, T. (Corresponding Author) ; Ohl, M.FZJ* ; Sakai, T. ; Shibayama, M.

2014
Soc. Washington, DC

Macromolecules 47(2), 763 - 770 (2014) [10.1021/ma402439v]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1021/ma402439v

Abstract: For precise understanding of the dynamics of gels, it is necessary to distinguish the effect of inherent cross-linking from accompanying inhomogeneity. This separation is realized by the use of inhomogeneity-free gel such as Tetra-PEG gel. We investigated the dynamics of Tetra-PEG gel by quasi-elastic scattering. Mesoscopic (length scale: ∼100 nm) motion was measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). In addition to this scale, we used neutron spin echo (NSE) to measure microscopic (length scale: ∼1 nm) motion. From these measurements, it is revealed that the gels with no connectivity/topological inhomogeneities show the transition from Zimm mode to collective diffusion mode in larger length scale, even beyond the q-range of NSE. In addition to this, the absence of spatial inhomogeneities is reflected as disappearance of nondecay component in the intermediate dynamic structure factor. Through the combination analysis of DLS and NSE, the multiscale dynamics of gels is elucidated.

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