Optimized Rouse–Zimm theory for stiff polymers

Earlier, the authors proposed a method for constructing an optimized Rouse–Zimm theory for an arbitrary polymer system. This method is applied here to a model of a stiff polymer. The spectrum of relaxation times and the intrinsic viscosity obtained from the optimized Rouse–Zimm theory are discussed. Comparison with known results for the limiting cases of a flexible chain, a rigid ring, and a rigid rod, shows that this procedure gives a quite good approximation at low frequencies. Its basic disadvantage is its inability to account for the observed high frequency behavior of the intrinsic viscosity of stiff polymers.