Influence of weak reversible cross-linkers on entangled polymer melt dynamics

Mohau J Mateyisi; Jens-Uwe Sommer; Kristian K Müller-Nedebock; Gert Heinrich

doi:10.1063/1.5019277

Influence of weak reversible cross-linkers on entangled polymer melt dynamics

J Chem Phys. 2018 Jun 28;148(24):244901. doi: 10.1063/1.5019277.

Authors

Mohau J Mateyisi¹, Jens-Uwe Sommer¹, Kristian K Müller-Nedebock², Gert Heinrich¹

Affiliations

¹ Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research, D-01069 Dresden, Germany.
² Department of Physics, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.

PMID: 29960366
DOI: 10.1063/1.5019277

Abstract

In this paper, we study a system of entangled chains that bear reversible cross-links in a melt state. The cross-links are tethered uniformly on the backbone of each chain. A slip-link type model for the system is presented and solved for the relaxation modulus. The effects of entanglements and reversible cross-linkers are modelled as a discrete form of constraints that influence the motion of the primitive path. In contrast to a non-associating entangled system, the model calculations demonstrate that the elastic modulus has a much higher first plateau and a delayed terminal relaxation. These effects are attributed to the evolution of the entangled chains, as influenced by tethered reversible linkers. The model is solved for the case when the linker survival time τ_s is greater than the entanglement time τ_e, but less than the Rouse time τ_R.