Topologically frustrated dynamics in an uncharged Tetra-PEG gel

Abstract

Based on our previous discovery of non-diffusive topologically frustrated dynamics in a charged system where electrostatic interactions between the charged guest and the charged host gel play a role (Nature Communications, 2018, 9, 2248; Physical Review Letters, 2021, 126, 057802), we have investigated the onset of this effect in an uncharged gel matrix. Using sodium (polystyrene sulfonate) as the guest macromolecule and the ideal tetra-PEG gel, we find the emergence of the non-diffusive topologically frustrated dynamical state with a hierarchy of segmental dynamics represented by a stretched exponential of exponent {beta} around 1/3. Our results demonstrate the universal behavior of the topologically frustrated dynamical state.