Numerical study of the gel transition in reversible associating polymers

Four temperatures to characterize the gel transition in reversible associating polymers have been calculated in a novel mixed molecular dynamics/Monte Carlo model. (1) The temperature below which relaxation times no longer show Arrhenius dependence on temperature; (2) the Vogel-Fulcher temperature at which the structural relaxation time extrapolates to infinity; (3) the micelle formation temperature at which the number of reversible bonds sharply increases; and (4) a crossover temperature at which the viscosity exhibits a power law divergence as predicted by mode coupling theory. These specific temperatures are obtained from measurements of diffusivity, specific heat, and network topology.