Brownian dynamics simulation of a polymer molecule in solution under elongational flow

Agarwal, U. S. ; Bhargava, Rohit ; Mashelkar, R. A. (1998) Brownian dynamics simulation of a polymer molecule in solution under elongational flow Journal of Chemical Physics, 108 (4). pp. 1610-1617. ISSN 0021-9606

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Official URL: http://jcp.aip.org/resource/1/jcpsa6/v108/i4/p1610...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.475531

Abstract

We use Brownian dynamics simulation to study coil-stretch transition of macromolecules in solution. Into a simple elongational flow field, we introduce freely jointed bead-rod chain model molecules in their coiled and stretched states, and follow the conformational changes. We find good agreement of our simulation results with the available theoretical predictions for low and high strain rates (ε). At the intermediate elongation rates (near the onset of coil-stretch transition) of the flow field, we find that the residence time required for stretching of an initially coiled chain can be extremely large as compared to predicted (1+ln(√N))ε-1, especially for the non-free-draining case. Hence, the chain conformation is dependent on the initial state of the chain molecule for residence time as long as 100ε-1. Thus, hysteresis is predicted when chain residence time in such an elongational flow field is limited, as in practical situations. Further, at such intermediate ε, the chain molecule is seen to undergo Brownian fluctuation induced jumps between a randomly coiled state and another partially stretched state. This suggests the existence of more than one equilibrium conformation that is unstable to Brownian fluctuations.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to American Institute of Physics.
ID Code:22138
Deposited On:23 Nov 2010 08:16
Last Modified:06 Jun 2011 08:48

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