Abstract.
We analyze the effective triplet interactions between the centers of star polymers in a good solvent. Using an analytical short-distance expansion inspired by scaling theory, we deduce that the triplet part of the three-star force is attractive but only 11% of the pairwise part even for a close approach of three star polymers. We have also performed extensive computer simulations for different arm numbers f to extract the effective triplet force. The simulation data show good correspondence with the theoretical predictions. Our results justify the effective pair potential picture even beyond the star polymer overlap concentration.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received 1 September 1999 and Received in final form 18 January 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
von Ferber, C., Jusufi, A., Likos, C. et al. Triplet interactions in star polymer solutions. Eur. Phys. J. E 2, 311–318 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s101890050013
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s101890050013