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arXiv · 1511.03795

Bundle formation in parallel aligned polymers with competing interactions

Sandipan Dutta·P. Benetatos·Y. S. Jho
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Abstract

Aggregation of like-charged polymers is widely observed in biological and soft matter systems. In many systems, bundles are formed when a short-range attraction of diverse physical origin like charge-bridging, hydrogen-bonding or hydrophobic interaction, overcomes the longer- range charge repulsion. In this Letter, we present a general mechanism of bundle formation in these systems as the breaking of the translational invariance in parallel aligned polymers with competing interactions of this type. We derive a criterion for finite-sized bundle formation as well as for macroscopic phase separation (formation of infinite bundles).

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Sandipan Dutta, P. Benetatos, Y. S. Jho. 2016-04-29. Bundle formation in parallel aligned polymers with competing interactions. https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075%2F114%2F28001

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