Dynamics of a polymer network modeled by a fractal cactus

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on the relaxation dynamics of a polymer network modeled by a fractal cactus. We perform our study in the framework of the generalized Gaussian structure model using both Rouse and Zimm approaches. By performing real-space renormalization transformations, we determine analytically the whole eigenvalue spectrum of the connectivity matrix, thereby rendering possible the analysis of the Rouse-dynamics at very large generations of the structure. The evaluation of the structural and dynamical properties of the fractal network in the Rouse type-approach reveals that they obey scaling and the dynamics is governed by the value of spectral dimension. In the Zimm-type approach, the relaxation quantities show a strong dependence on the strength of the hydrodynamic interaction. For low and medium hydrodynamic interactions, the relaxation quantities do not obey power law behavior, while for slightly larger interactions they do. Under strong hydrodynamic interactions, the storage modulus does not follow power law behavior and the average displacement of the monomer is very low. Remarkably, the theoretical findings with respect to scaling in the intermediate domain of the relaxation quantities are well supported by experimental results from the literature.