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Published March 31, 2011 | public
Journal Article

Phase Separation Induced by Ladder-Like Polymer-Polymer Complexation

Abstract

Polymer-polymer complexation in solvent is studied using an extension of the self-consistent field theory. The model polymers are capable of forming ladder-like duplex structures. The duplex formation occurs with an abrupt change of entropy, resulting in a first-order transition. Moreover, the complexation can be stabilized by solvent-polymer interactions, instead of the usual specific binding interactions. Various types of unconventional phase diagrams are predicted. For example, phase separation with decreasing χ-parameter between duplex polymer and solvent can be induced, leading to a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior. Multiphase coexistence points at which two, three, or four phases coexist are also obtained. Under certain conditions a homogeneous phase becomes unstable when the polymer chain length is decreased, in contrast to the standard Flory-Huggins theory.

Additional Information

© 2011 American Chemical Society. Published In Issue March 31, 2011; Article ASAP: March 10, 2011; Received: October 08, 2010; Revised: January 27, 2011. This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023