Theory of heterogeneities in polymer networks

Abstract

Following Edwards’ ideas we present main experimental results and the theory of random heterogeneities in neutral and charged networks obtained by instantaneous as well as chemical cross-linking of a melt and semidilute solution of linear chains. We study how random monomer density patterns in such networks change after swelling and stretching. We also describe main features of monomer density correlation functions, which determine the neutron and light scattering on spatial heterogeneities. We show that largescale cross-link density patterns written into network structure in the melt or semidilute state, can be revealed upon swelling by monitoring the monomer density patterns. We demonstrate that while isotropic deformations in good solvent yield magnified images of the original pattern, anisotropic deformations distort the image. We study how the monomer density image changes under different solvent conditions and discuss the difference between deformations of the density images in gels and ordinary solids. Possible tests of our predictions and some potential applications are proposed.