Sol-gel transition and phase equilibrium in solutions of linear polymer chains with thermoresponsive chemical bonds

A description is proposed for the solutions of polymer chains with segments containing functional groups capable of participating in thermoreversible chemical reactions cross-linking the polymer over the whole volume with for mation of a thermoresponsive infinite network tweak gel). This description takes into account cycle formation on a microscopic scale (which is still m uch greater than the size of a single chain). On this basis, the phase diag rams of the solutions al-e constructed and their complete classification is given according to the values of parameters characterizing chemical and vo lume interactions between monomer segments of the initial polymer chains.