STATISTICAL THERMODYNAMICS OF SINGLE-CHAIN SINGLE-CRYSTALS

A simple statistical mechanical theory is developed assuming a chain-f olded crystal. Taking account of the side-surface energy of the single -chain single crystal, the partition function and the free energy are calculated. Also, the expressions for equilibrium thickness l(e) and m elting temperature T(m,e) of the single-chain single crystal are obtai ned, and they are similar to that given by a thermodynamic analysis of the single-chain single crystal. It is shown that l(e) depends on tem perature and on the molar mass of the single-chain single crystal, whi le T(m,e) depends on the molar mass. Furthermore, it is found that the side-surface and the fold-surface free energies gamma and gamma(e) ca n be explained on a molecular basis.