Computer simulation of the aggregation process in self-associating polymer and surfactant systems

We present results of numerical simulations of a new model for the clustering process in self-associating polymer systems. We focus on two experimentally interesting systems; telechelic ionomers and reverse micelles. The clustering dynamics introduced by us is an extension of the Eden method, previously used in the context of single particle aggregation. The structure of the aggregates seen in the simulations is qualitatively similar to that observed in experimental systems. The quantitative predictions of the model are found to be similar to those found in simulations of a model based on a diffusion-limited-aggregation-type process.