A model for gelation with explicit solvent effects: Structure and dynamics
Abstract
We study a two-component model for gelation consisting of f-functional monomers (the gel) and inert particles (the solvent). After equilibration as a simple liquid, the gel particles are gradually crosslinked to each other until the desired number of crosslinks has been attained. At a critical crosslink density the largest gel cluster percolates and an amorphous solid forms. This percolation process is different from ordinary lattice or continuum percolation of a single species in the sense that the critical exponents are new. As the crosslink density p approaches its critical value p_c, the shear viscosity diverges: \eta(p)\sim (p_c-p)^{-s} with s a nonuniversal concentration-dependent exponent.