Effect of confinement on coil-globule transition

Abstract

The equilibrium thermodynamic properties of a linear polymer chain confined to a space between two impenetrable walls (lines) at a distance $D$ under various solvent conditions have been studied using series analysis and exact enumeration technique. We have calculated the end to end distance of polymer chain, which shows a non-monotonic behaviour with inter wall ^M separation $D$. The density distribution profile shows a maxima at a particular value of $(D=)D^{\ast }$. Around this $D^{\ast }$, our results show that the collapse^M transition occurs at higher temperature as compared to its bulk value of 2d and 3d. The variation of $\theta -$ temperature with $D$ shows a re-entrance behaviour. We also calculate the force of compression exerted by the walls (lines) on the polymer.

11 pages with 7 eps figures