Nucleation and Expansion of the Oxidized Amorphous Regions

Once formed, the columns of an oxidized polymer begin to expand (Fig. 38), this process being controlled by conformational relaxation in the borders between the oxidized and reduced regions. In order to advance the development of our model by the inclusion of this process, the following simplifications and hypotheses were considered  

N0 nuclei per cm 2 appear at the beginning of the oxidation process under constant temperature and electrolyte concentration in a specific solvent. 

Relaxation nuclei expand concentrically as cylinders until they coalescence. 

During this time, oxidized and neutral phases coexist, having clear separation surfaces (i.e., the lateral area of the cylinders). 

Oxidized regions are uniform in composition and consequently in charge density at every polarization time. Regions of neutral polymer have, as well, a uniform composition. Both oxidized and neutral regions have an amorphous structure. 

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