Polymer dynamics: Floored by the rings

doi:doi:10.1038/nmat2324

Nature Materials 7, 933 - 935 (2008)
doi:10.1038/nmat2324

Polymer dynamics: Floored by the rings

Tom McLeish¹

Tom McLeish is pro-vice-chancellor for research at Durham University, University Office, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP, UK.
e-mail: t.c.b.mcleish@dur.ac.uk

The tube model can explain how mutually entangled polymer chains move and interact, but it relies on the loose ends of chains to generate relaxation. Ring polymers have no ends — so how do they relax?

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How do entangled polymer rings relax? Linear polymers can ease their stress because their chains have ends, but cyclic polymers do not. Even trace amounts of linear chains dominate the mechanical properties if present as impurities. Investigation of carefully purified ring polymers reveals they exhibit self-similar dynamics and a power-law stress relaxation. How do entangled polymer rings relax? Linear polymers can ease their stress because their chains have ends, but cyclic polymers do not. Even trace amounts of linear chains dominate the mechanical properties if present as impurities. Investigation of carefully purified ring polymers reveals they exhibit self-similar dynamics and a power-law stress relaxation.

Nature Materials Article (01 Dec 2008)

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Polymer dynamics: Floored by the rings