Collapse of an AB copolymer single chain with alternating blocks of different stiffness

Using the Langevin dynamics, we studied the conformational properties of an AB copolymer single chain built of alternating stiff and flexible blocks having different steady-state affinities to a solvent. Two opposite conditions were simulated, viz., where a solvent is poor for stiff blocks and good for flexible blocks and vice versa. The behavior of the molecules built of equal-length blocks and long stiff blocks linked through short flexible junctions were considered. Upon transition of a chain to the compact state, nanostructures with different morphologies, such as bunches, networks, and others, can form.