STRUCTURE FORMATION IN SELF-ASSOCIATING POLYMER AND SURFACTANT SYSTEMS

We use Monte Carlo simulation techniques to investigate the important factors controlling the aggregation of self-associating polymers and surfactants in solution. We consider both irreversible and reversible aggregation among the association sites on the polymers. For different monomer concentrations and chain lengths we compute the number of intrachain and interchain associations. It is found that the monomer concentration separating regimes of primarily intra- and interchain associations depends upon the location of association sites on the polymers. This suggests that the distribution of stickers along the chains can be an important factor in controlling macroscopic properties of these systems.