Nematic ordering of worm-like polymers near an interface

Area of Science:

• Polymer Physics
• Materials Science
• Biophysics

Background:

• Semi-flexible polymers exhibit complex phase behavior crucial for materials science and biophysics.
• Specific confinement geometries and polymer orientational behavior are often required in these applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the orientational ordering of semi-flexible polymers under confinement.
• To understand the emergence of nematic ordering and the formation of different nematic phases.
• To clarify the influence of planar confinement on polymer nematic ordering.

Main Methods:

• Modeling semi-flexible polymers as Maier-Saupe worm-like chains.
• Utilizing self-consistent field theory to analyze bulk and confined systems.
• Examining the isotropic-nematic transition and phase stability limits.

Main Results:

• Nematic ordering emerges from the isotropic phase, with distinct mono-domain and multi-domain phases forming.
• Planar confinement aligns polymers parallel to the wall without shifting the nematic transition.
• A second perpendicular wall uniquely sets the ordering direction, propagating mono-domain phases into the bulk.

Conclusions:

• Wall confinement offers a method to control and propagate mono-domain nematic phases.
• Geometric control of polymer orientation is achievable through engineered confinement.
• The study provides insights into polymer assembly inspired by biological systems like collagen.