Coil-Globule Phase Transition in a Single Polystyrene Chain in Cyclohexane

Abstract

The first observations of the entire temperature-induced coil-globule transition in a single polystyrene polymer chain in cyclohexane is reported. The position of the coilglobule transition relative to the coexistence curve in the phase diagram of the system is also shown. The transition occurred at 32°C with a width of 5°C for 2.6×${10}^7$-molecularweight polystyrene with a sharp decrease in hydrodynamic radius from 1250 Å to 500 Å as the temperature was lowered.