UNIVERSAL EQUATION OF STATE FOR AN INTERACTING MULTICOMPONENT MIXTUREOF POLYMERS

We present a closed form universal equation of state for an interactin g multicomponent mixture of polymers of any architecture and dispersit y. The equation is obtained by solving the model on a Bethe lattice an d goes beyond the random mixing approximation. The latter property end ows our theory with features that are consistent with real systems. Th e equation of state, though an approximate one, is thermodynamically c onsistent and is valid even in the incompressible limit. The predictio ns of the equation are consistent with simulations and experiments, as discussed. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.