Chain folding irregular

The mesomorphous phase, also called an intermediate phase or a mesophase, is formed by molecules occurring in surface layers of the crystallites. It can be assumed that the mesophase is made up largely by regularly adjacent reentry folds. However, it cannot be excluded that the mesophase is also composed of some irregular chain folds, which are characterized by a long length and run near the crystal face in the direction perpendicular to the microfibril axis. 

The several models involving chain folding and dimensions have two elements in common (1) regular or irregular folded sequences connected by tie molecules, and (2) some random coil characteristics, i.e., dimensions perfectly folded single crystal has... 

If one accepts irregular chain folding for melts and atactic polymers, what consequences might be expected for the postulated origin of T// as contrasted with the random coil model Any answers to this question must be mainly speculative at this time. We suggest the following rather general deductions ... 

The irregularly chain folded model appears consistent with a number of known facts about atactic polymers, as summarized in Table IV. This model does not appear inconsistent with Tjj phenomena but more consideration of this tentative conclusion is needed. 

Table IV. Indirect evidence for and against order (including irregular chain folding) in melts and atactic polymers.

While Til phenomena support the presence of structure in the liquid state of atactic polymers, they do not provide conclusions for or against either random coils or irregular chain folds. 

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