Systematic bottom-up theory for the viscoelastic response of worm-like chain networks

¹ Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin - Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
² Department of Physics, The University of Tokyo - Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan

Received: 1 June 2018
Accepted: 29 August 2018

Abstract

Using the frequency-dependent force-extension response functions of single worm-like chains as the only input, the linear complex viscoelastic modulus of a polymeric network with given connectivity is derived from a systematic bottom-up theory via iterative coarse-graining. Choosing a cubic connectivity and accounting for random network orientation, we find excellent agreement with experimental data for actin networks under shear over the entire frequency range with the strength of the osmotic pressure that acts within the polymeric network as the only fitting parameter. In particular, we obtain a viscoelastic plateau regime at low frequencies and a crossover to an intermediate-frequency regime characterized by a power law behavior and an inhomogeneous shear deformation field.