Motion of star-branched chains in polymer networks: A Monte Carlo study

A simple model of branched polymers in confined space is developed. Star-br anched polymer molecules are built on a simple cubic lattice with excluded volume and no attractive interactions (good solvent conditions). A single s tar molecule is trapped in a network of linear polymer chains of restricted mobility. The simulations are carried out using the classical Metropolis a lgorithm. Static and dynamic properties of the star-branched polymer are de termined using various networks. The dependence of the longest relaxation t ime and the selfdiffusion coefficient on chain length and network propertie s are discussed and the proper scaling laws formulated. The possible mechan ism of motion is discussed. The differences between the motion of star-bran ched polymers in such a network are compared with the cases of a dense matr ix of linear chains and regular rod-like obstacles.