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Effects of Ionic Groups on Dynamics of Linear-Star Polymer Blends: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

ORAL

Abstract

Tethering ionic groups to polymers influence their phase behavior and dynamics, and in turn affect their blending with other macromolecules. Here, using MD simulations we probe the effects of ionic groups on the dynamics of linear-star polymer blends, where both the ionic groups and the topology affect the behavior. The polymer chains are modeled by the beads-spring model and the ionic groups are incorporated in the form of stickers (0-5%) on either the linear or star polymers or on both. The fraction fstar of star polymer is varied from 0 to 1. We find that for non-charged blends the short linear and star polymer chains are miscible. Introducing ionic groups on either the linear or the star polymers results in ionic clustering and phase separation. We find that the mobility of the linear ionizable melt is slower than the non-ionic polymers. In contrast, stickers increase the mobility of star polymer melts. In the presence of small amounts of stickers, the mobility of the chains is not affected by chain architecture.

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Presenters

  • Manjula Senanayake

    Department of Chemistry , Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States,29634, Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States, 29634.

Authors

  • Manjula Senanayake

    Department of Chemistry , Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States,29634, Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States, 29634.

  • Gary Grest

    Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, United States,87123, Sandia National Laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87123

  • Dvora Perahia

    Department of Chemistry/Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States, 29634, Department of Chemistry/ Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States, 29634. Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States, 29631., Clemson University