Modelling Polymer Self Diffusion: An Alternative Model to Reptation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new model for concentrated polymer dynamics where chains act as diffusing blobs, providing insights into viscosity and diffusion behavior without relying on reptation.

Contribution

The paper proposes an alternative to reptation by modeling polymer chains as diffusing blobs, enabling new predictions of viscosity and diffusion relationships.

Findings

Viscosity-molecular weight relationship derived

Diffusion coefficient-molecular weight relationship established

Model aligns with experimental observations

Abstract

Herein an alternative model to reptation to describe concentrated polymer dynamics is developed. The model assumes that the chains act as blobs that are able to diffuse past each other in a compressed state. Allowing that the local viscosity experienced by a blob is less than the macroscopic viscosity allows the viscosity-molecular weight and diffusion coefficient-molecular weight relationships to be determined.