Computer simulation of multiple chain systems—equation of state of hard sphere chains

Abstract

A Monte Carlo method was used to determine the equation of state of systems of chains with a hard sphere potential. These equation of state results can be applied to the osmotic pressure of polymer solutions where polymer–solvent interactions are neglected, or to the external pressure of a system of neat chains. The calculations were performed on 15 and 20 unit chain systems over a wide range of density, and comparisons are made with analytical theories appropriate to each density.