INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL DISORDER ON THE STATISTICS OF A SEMIFLEXIBLE CHAIN.
01 January 1989
The effects of quenched chemical disorder on the statistical properties of a semiflexible chain are investigated. A simple model with Gaussian fluctuations in the local persistence length is introduced and its properties studied to first order in the variance of the disorder. The polymer is found to be expanded relative to a chain with the average persistence length. The model and results should be relevant to the phase behavior and characteristic dimensions of random copolymers with main- chain mesogens, such as those investigated by Stupp, et. al.