A microscopic model is used to determine analytically the macroscopic conformational properties of dendritic polymers with interactive branching points. We describe the dependence on the number g of generations, the molecular weight N of each branch, and the functionalities f and f c of the branching points and the core as well as the quality of the solvent. A comparison is given between the analytical results and the results from Monte Carlo simulations up to g ) 4 and f c ) f ) 3. Three mean square distances are calculated which determine the extension of the k shell from the origin, the sizes of the branches in each generation, and the average distance between symmetrical points on different dendrons. On the basis of these distances, the dependence on the microscopic characteristics of the dendritic polymer of the positions of the terminal groups and the size of the branches in each generation are analyzed. Effective angles between symmetrical points on different dendrons are used for the first time to describe the degree of segregation of different dendrons the possibility of entrances into the matrix of the polymer as well as the amount of the vacancies in its interior.
The conformational properties of linear dendronized polymers made of a backbone and grafted dendrons are studied analytically as a function of the molecular weights of the backbone and the dendrons. Our previous model for dendritic homopolymers with a central core, is extended to include dendritic structures emerging from a linear polymeric chain made of units of different chemical nature. The ways the number of dendrons, their generation, and the functionality of their branching points affect the size and the shape both of the backbone and the dendrons are given in detail. The various effects of the quality of the solvent, capable to be different for the dendrons and the backbone, lead to interesting novel behaviors.
We study the macroscopic behavior of a pyramid-like nano-construct made of linear macromolecular chains. The average mean square end-to-end distances of the six edges of the pyramoid are evaluated by means of the Gaussian chain model and are found smaller than those of free chains because of architecture confinement. We also evaluate the average areas of the four faces which give a first estimate of the open windows towards the interior space of the macromolecular construct and its loading capacity. The average volume of the polymeric nano-container, which provides a measure of its interior emptiness and carrying ability, is estimated as well. The density of monomers at each point of the construct shows the three-dimensional character of the nano-cage and the location of its entrances and voids.
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