Quantitative Theory of the Globule-to-Coil Transition. 1. Link Density Distribution in a Globule and Its Radius of Gyration

A. Yu Grosberg, D. V. Kuznetsov

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    In this series of papers new results and a brief review of the current state of mean-field theories of the condensed globular state and of the globule-to-coil transition in the θ-region for a linear, homogeneous, noncharged macromolecule are presented. As a basis of our consideration, we use both Lifshitz's theory and interpolation Flory-type theory. Complete quantitative theoretical results are obtained and compared with experimental data. In this first paper of the series the unary characteristics of a polymer chain are considered. It is shown that the density distribution of monomers inside a globule depends on parameters of a polymersolvent system in the combination t = N1/2BC−1/4(a2/6)−3/4 ~ N1/2(T - θ)/θ only (a stands for the distance between neighboring links along the chain, N is the total number of links in the chain, T stands for temperature, and B and C are the second and third virial coefficients of quasimonomer interactions, respectively). The form of the t-dependence (or of the (T - θ)N1/2-dependence) of a macromolecule expansion factor is determined by the polymer rigidity parameter √C/a3. The question of the bimodality of macromolecular states in the transition region is discussed.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)1970-1979
    Number of pages10
    JournalMacromolecules
    Volume25
    Issue number7
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Mar 1 1992

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Organic Chemistry
    • Polymers and Plastics
    • Inorganic Chemistry
    • Materials Chemistry

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