Living polymers in random media: a 2D Monte-Carlo investigation on a square lattice

Abstract:

The evolution of the mean chain length $\langle L\rangle$ and mean end to end square radius $\langle R_e^2\rangle$ of a two dimensional system of living polymers at constant monomer concentration is studied as a function of the obstacle density $\rho$. The fact that the system adapts the mean chain length $\langle L\rangle$ in order to reduce the entropic constraint does not lead to a different asymptotic dependence of $\langle R_e^2\rangle$ on $\rho$ than what is observed for dead polymers. The change of the molecular weight distribution form in the presence of obstacles suggests that a Levy flight could appear in system of wormlike micelles in a porous medium.