Title | Equilibrium Structure and Dynamics of Self-Associating Single Polymers |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2011 |
Authors | Sing, CE, Alexander-Katz, A |
Journal | Macromolecules |
Volume | 44 |
Issue | 17 |
Pagination | 6962 - 6971 |
Date Published | 2011/09/13/ |
Abstract | There has been significant interest recently in the development of materials that utilize the kinetic properties of self-associating groups, which can be tuned to manipulate dynamics and control mechanical, optical, and rheological properties. Here we describe the single-chain behavior of self-associating polymers in solution, using results from both simulation and theory. We use Brownian dynamics simulations with monomers that can reversibly associate using Bell model-based reaction kinetics. A straightforward two-state model is considered, and associations are exclusive; however, generalizations beyond these behaviors are briefly considered in the theory. We demonstrate that, even for a Theta-polymer, the inclusion of self-associations can drive the polymer into an equilibrium structure that resembles a collapsed polymer globule. The dynamic behavior of these polymers exhibits two regimes, with Rouse-dominated time scales when binding reactions have low energetic barriers and binder-dominated time scales when binding reactions have large energetic barriers. These results have implications in a diverse array of applications ranging from supramolecular chemistry to stimuli responsive materials to biological polymer dynamics. |