Polymeric systems phase structure

For structures with a high curvature (e.g., small micelles) or situations where orientational interactions become important (e.g., the gel phase of a membrane) lattice-based models might be inappropriate. Off-lattice models for amphiphiles, which are quite similar to their counterparts in polymeric systems, have been used to study the self-assembly into micelles [ ], or to explore the phase behaviour of Langmuir monolayers [ ] and bilayers. In those systems, various phases with a nematic ordering of the hydrophobic tails occur. 

It does not follow from Eqp. (I) and (2) that the polymerization rate being a function of emulsifier concentration also depends on the emulsifier activity in the given polymerization system. It has been shown in several studies, however, that emulsifier activity at the water-organic phase interface is determined by the structure of the emulsifier molecule and the... 

The phase separation in polymeric systems is determined by thermodynamic and kinetic parameters, such as the chemical potentials and diffusivities of the individual components and the Gibb s free energy of mixing of the entire system. Identification and description of the phase separation process is the key to understanding the membrane formation mechanism, a necessity for optimizing membrane properties and structures. 

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