Exact Calculation of the Partition Function for a Model of Two-Dimensional Polymer Crystallization by Chain Folding

Abstract

A model of two‐dimensional polymer crystallization by chain folding is treated by equilibrium statistical mechanics. The Laplace transform of the partition function with respect to the length of the polymer chain is obtained in exact analytical form. The model leads to thermodynamically well‐defined chain‐folded crystals. Under certain circumstances in the limit of an infinitely long polymer chain, the model shows a second‐order phase transition from an “extended‐chain” crystal to the chain‐folded crystal.