Polymer dynamics free volume models

Generally, the values of the scaling exponent are smaller for polymers than for molecular liquids, for which 3.2 < y < 8.5. A larger y, or steeper repulsive potential, implies greater influence of jamming on the dynamics. The smaller exponent found for polymers in comparison with small-molecule liquids means that volume effects are weaker for polymers, which is ironic given their central role in the historical development of free-volume models. The reason why y is smaller... 

MODELS FOR DIFFUSION IN BOTH RUBBERY AND IN GLASSY POLYMERS Some models are applicable to diffusion of small molecules in glassy as well as in rubbery polymers. These too fall into the general categories of molecular models and free-volume models. Recent molecular dynamics simulations of simple polymer/penetrant systems will also be discussed. 

The brief discussion above shows that the structure of a polymer electrolyte and the ion conduction mechanism are complex. Furthermore, the polymer is a weak electrolyte, whose ions form ion pairs, triple ions, and multidentate ions after its ionic dissociation. Currently, there are several important models that attempt to describe the ion conduction mechanisms in polymer electrolytes Arrhenius theory, the Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher (VTF) equation, the Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) equation, free volume model, dynamic bond percolation model (DBPM), the Meyer-Neldel (MN) law, effective medium theory (EMT), and the Nernst-Einstein equation [1]. 

To account for the variation of the dynamics with pressure, the free volume is allowed to compress with P, but differently than the total compressibility of the material [22]. One consequent problem is that fitting data can lead to the unphysical result that the free volume is less compressible than the occupied volume [42]. The CG model has been modified with an additional parameter to describe t(P) [34,35] however, the resulting expression does not accurately fit data obtained at high pressure [41,43,44]. Beyond describing experimental results, the CG fit parameters yield free volumes that are inconsistent with the unoccupied volume deduced from cell models [41]. More generally, a free-volume approach to dynamics is at odds with the experimental result that relaxation in polymers is to a significant degree a thermally activated process [14,15,45]. 

With further understanding how molecular rotors interact with their environment and with application-specific chemical modifications, a more widespread use of molecular rotors in biological and chemical studies can be expected. Ratiometric dyes and lifetime imaging will enable accurate viscosity measurements in cells where concentration gradients exist. The examination of polymerization dynamics benefits from the use of molecular rotors because of their real-time response rates. Presently, the reaction may force the reporters into specific areas of the polymer matrix, for example, into water pockets, but targeted molecular rotors that integrate with the matrix could prevent this behavior. With their relationship to free volume, the field of fluid dynamics can benefit from molecular rotors, because the applicability of viscosity models (DSE, Gierer-Wirtz, free volume, and WLF models) can be elucidated. Lastly, an important field of development is the surface-immobilization of molecular rotors, which promises new solid-state sensors for microviscosity [145]. 

Most important macroscopic transport properties (i.e., permeabilities, solubilities, constants of diffusion) of polymer-based membranes have their foundation in microscopic features (e.g., free-volume distribution, segmental dynamics, distribution of polar groups, etc.) which are not sufficiently accessible to experimental characterization. Here, the simulation of reasonably equilibrated and validated atomistic models provides great opportunities to gain a deeper insight into these microscopic features that in turn will help to develop more knowledge-based approaches in membrane development. 

The study of glass transition is an important subject in current research, and simulations may well be suited to help our understanding of the phenomenon. An example is the application of Monte Carlo techniques by Wittman, Kremer, and Binder.The authors employed a lattice method in two dimensions to model the system. The glass transition was determined by monitoring the free volume changes as well as isothermal compressibility. The glasslike behavior was determined by evaluating the bond autocorrelation function. The authors found that both the dynamic polymer structure factor and the orienta-... 

Fig. 1 Free volume, v, in polymers (A) the relationship of free volume to transitions, and (B) a schematic example of free volume and the crankshaft model. Below the Tg in (A) various paths with different free volumes exist depending on heat history and processing of the polymer, where the path with the least free volume is the most relaxed. (B) shows the various motions of a polymer chain. Unless enough free volume exists, the motions cannot occur. (From Menard K. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis A Practical Introduction, CRC Press Boca Raton, 1999).

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