“Intrinsic” and “Topological” Stiffness in Branched Polymers

Single-chain Monte Carlo simulations were carried out, in continuous space, of polymers with various topologies (branched and linear) in the good solvent. Using an inherently flexible bead-and-spring model, the backbone of linear polymers with either linear or dendritic side-groups attached was found to be elongated, indicative of an induced stiffness. This “topological stiffness” was compared to the “intrinsic stiffness” of semiflexible linear polymers in terms of various observables. Semiflexible comb polymers, which contained both types of stiffness, were also considered.