Phase transitions in lattice solutions of semiflexible chains of finite length

Lattice solutions of finite chains with reduced flexibility are shown to form phase equilibria characterized by broad phase gaps of width increasing with molecular weight. DiMarzio's treatment of excluded volume also gives predictions on bulk transitions. Both in solution and in the bulk, the orientational order parameter and fraction of straight configurations of the anisotropic phase at the transition increase with chain length. Calculations on infinite chain systems fail to detect phase equilibrium in solution at different concentrations. Copyright © 1989 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.