POLYSOAPS - EXTENSION AND COMPRESSION

Intramolecular self-assembly in polysoaps qualitatively modifies their deformation behavior. The modified elasticity reflects the coupling o f the chain deformation to the internal degrees of freedom associated with the existence of intrachain micelles. The equilibration of this s econdary structure tends to lower the restoring force associated with the deformation in accordance with the LeChatelier principle. The forc e larva for extension and for confinement into a slit are derived for the case of a linear string of spherical intrachain micelles. In both situations the chain behaves as a string of stars for weak deformation s. Force laws characteristic of simple linear chains are obtained for strong deformations. Novel force laws, reflecting strong coupling to t he secondary structural are obtained at the intermediate regime. For i ntermediate extensions, the tension in the chain, f, is independent of R, the end to end distance, up to logarithmic corrections, i.e., f si milar to R-0 In g(R), where g(R) is a slowly increasing function of R. For intermediate confinement f similar to D-28/23, where D is the spa cing between the two nonadsorbing walls.