Dynamic crossover scaling in polymer solutions

TL;DR

This paper uses Brownian Dynamics simulations to investigate the universal crossover scaling functions of polymer solutions above the overlap concentration, revealing simple relations between key properties like size and diffusion.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed simulation study of crossover scaling functions and demonstrates their interrelations, advancing understanding of polymer solution behavior.

Findings

Universal crossover scaling functions characterized

Simple relations between size and diffusion functions established

Supported by rheological data on DNA systems

Abstract

The crossover region in the phase diagram of polymer solutions, in the regime above the overlap concentration, is explored by Brownian Dynamics simulations, to map out the universal crossover scaling functions for the gyration radius and the single-chain diffusion constant. Scaling considerations, our simulation results, and recently reported data on the polymer contribution to the viscosity obtained from rheological measurements on DNA systems, support the assumption that there are simple relations between these functions, such that they can be inferred from one another.