From Single-Chain Dynamics to Structure Formation: Dynamic Self-Consistent Field Theory and Molecular Dynamics of (Co)polymer Melts across Entanglement Regimes

Abstract Dynamic self-consistent field theory (DSCFT) provides an efficient continuum framework for studying structure formation in inhomogeneous polymer systems, but its predictive accuracy depends on the choice of nonlocal mobilities. Here, we construct mobility functions for moderately and strongly entangled homopolymer and diblock copolymer systems from the relaxation dynamics of single-chain structure factors, based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the Kremer–Grest model and analytical reptation theory. Single-chain mobilities are combined such that the resulting DSCFT accounts for the dependence of fluxes on local chain densities. The theory is then applied to the spinodal decomposition of symmetric homopolymer blends and diblock copolymer melts following a quench into the (micro)phase-separation regime. Predictions of DSCFT are systematically compared with MD simulations. Mobility functions derived from single-chain dynamics are found to reproduce the kinetics of structure formation more accurately than conventional Debye-type mobilities. We additionally investigate the influence of adding stochastic currents (noise) that are correlated according to the fluctuation–dissipation relation. At low noise levels, they enable the generation of equilibrium initial states and facilitate defect annealing. At high noise levels, however, nonlinear effects lead to discrepancies between DSCFT and MD simulations.