Effects of Linking Topology on the Shear Response of Connected Ring Polymers: Catenanes and Bonded Rings Flow Differently
Reyhaneh A. Farimani, Zahra Ahmadian Dehaghani, Christos N. Likos, Mohammad Reza Ejtehadi
Abstract
We perform computer simulations of mechanically linked (poly[2]catenanes, PC) and chemically bonded (bonded rings, BR) pairs of self-avoiding ring polymers in steady shear. We find that BRs develop a novel motif, termed gradient tumbling, rotating around the gradient axis. For the PCs the rings are stretched and display another new pattern, termed slip tumbling. The dynamics of BRs is continuous and oscillatory, whereas that of PCs is intermittent between slip-tumbling attempts. Our findings demonstrate the interplay between topology and hydrodynamics in dilute solutions of connected polymers.
Topics & Concepts
CatenaneRing (chemistry)Materials sciencePolymerFlow (mathematics)Topology (electrical circuits)Shear flowShear (geology)MechanicsPhysicsComposite materialMoleculeChemistryMathematicsQuantum mechanicsCombinatoricsOrganic chemistryRheology and Fluid Dynamics StudiesPolymer Foaming and CompositesEpoxy Resin Curing Processes