Journal Article

FZJ-2018-02065

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Trefoil Knot Hydrodynamic Delocalization on Sheared Ring Polymers

Liebetreu, M. (Corresponding author) ; Ripoll, M.FZJ* ; Likos, C. N.

2018
ACS Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1021/acsmacrolett.8b00059

Abstract: The behavior of unknotted and trefoil-knotted ring polymers under shear flow is here examined by means of mesoscopic simulations. In contrast to most polymers, ring polymers in a hydrodynamic solvent at high shear rates do not get shortened in the vorticity direction. This is a consequence of the backflow produced by the interaction of the sheared solvent with the end-free polymer topology. The extended structures of the ring in the vorticity-flow plane, when they are aligned in a constant velocity plane, favor ring contour fluctuations. This variety of conformations largely suppresses the tank-treading type of rotation with extended conformations in favor of the tumbling type of rotations, where stretched and collapsed conformations alternate. The extension of trefoil knots is also enhanced, so that the knots become delocalized. We anticipate that these effects, which disappear in the absence of hydrodynamic interactions, will have a crucial impact on the rheological properties of concentrated ring solutions, and will also influence the behavior of more complicated systems such as mixtures of polymers with different topologies.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Theorie der Weichen Materie und Biophysik (ICS-2)

Research Program(s):

1. 551 - Functional Macromolecules and Complexes (POF3-551) (POF3-551)

Appears in the scientific report 2018

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Database coverage:
; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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