The theta temperature of star polymers

We use equations derived from the blob theory to calculate the blob size and the theta temperature of star polymers. In contrast to the case of linear polymers these two parameters are calculated to depend on molecular mass for star polymers. For a given star polymer the theta temperature can be lower or higher than that of the corresponding linear polymer depending on the number and length of its branches. The results are compared with the blob model of Daoud and Cotton for star polymers. Experimental results obtained in the course of this study confirm our calculations.