Dynamics of dendrimers with excluded volume: A comparison with experiments and simulations

Abstract

The rheology of model dendrimers with excluded volume interactions is investigated within the framework of the Rouse-Zimm theory. Excluded volume between the nearest nonbonded monomers of dendrimers is evaluated within the mean-field approximation along the lines of Flory's theory. This theory also rationalizes the earlier developed geometric approach for determining the angular excluded volume parameters. This model captures the characteristic maxima of the intrinsic viscosity as a function of the generations of growth. The overall feature of the intrinsic viscosity of dendrimers with varying excluded volume parameters displays a good quantitative match with those reported in earlier theory, experiments, and simulations. The mechanical moduli of model dendrimers agree well with the Brownian dynamics simulation data.