Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.115, No.12, 2783-2790, 2011
Phase Separation Induced by Ladder-Like Polymer-Polymer Complexation
Polymer polymer complexation in solvent is studied using an extension of the self-consistent field theory. The model polymers are capable of forming ladder-like duplex structures. The duplex formation occurs with an abrupt change of entropy, resulting in a first-order transition. Moreover, the complexation can be stabilized by solvent polymer interactions, instead of the usual specific binding interactions. Various types of unconventional phase diagrams are predicted. For example, phase separation with decreasing x-parameter between duplex polymer and solvent can be induced, leading to a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior. Multiphase coexistence points at which two, three, or four phases coexist are also obtained. Under certain conditions a homogeneous phase becomes unstable when the polymer chain length is decreased, in contrast to the standard Flory-Huggins theory.