Reversible thermal gelation in soft spheres

Authors
Kapnistos, M Vlassopoulos, D Fytas, G Mortensen, K Fleischer, G Roovers, J
Citation
M. Kapnistos et al., Reversible thermal gelation in soft spheres, PHYS REV L, 85(19), 2000, pp. 4072-4075
Citations number
31
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
ISSN journal
00319007 → ACNP
Volume
85
Issue
19
Year of publication
2000
Pages
4072 - 4075
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-9007(20001106)85:19<4072:RTGISS>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Upon heating, concentrated solutions of star polymers and block copolymer m icelles in a good solvent, representing soft spheres, undergo a reversible gelation. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of clusters causin g a partial dynamic arrest of the swollen interpenetrating spheres at high temperatures. A phase diagram analogous to that of sterically stabilized co lloids is proposed.