Theoretical investigation of the segment-segment correlation in topological constrained networks

Abstract

We study the influence of harmonic-like configurational constraints on the segment orientation correlation in polymer networks. The investigation uses the continuous Edwards-chain model. We show that all effects of the special chain model (as well as the constraints) are reflected by an intensive parameter in the distribution function of cosθ, whereθ is the angle between a segment orientation and the fixed end-to-end distance vector of a network chain. In the case of vanishing constraints the second momentM ₂ yields the classical Kuhn-Gruen-result of the freely rotating chain. Starting with the phantom limit, the functionM ₂ first decreases with increasing constraints and increases by approaching the reference result in the case of strong constraints. Our results are compared with some experimental (²H NMR) findings.