Figure 7.

Equilibration time τ_eq for the open sticker concentration in the polymer network with reversible bonding as a function of chain length N for two different bond strength ε₁ and ε₂ (ε₁ < ε₂). $N_1^{\ast }$ and $N_2^{\ast }$ are the two crossover chain lengths corresponding to different bond strength ε₁ and ε₂. The scaling relation between the crossover chain length and the bond strength N^* ≈ exp[ε/(2k_BT)] is shown by the dashed line. The hybrid network equilibrates within anomalous diffusion regime for longer chains N > N^* (red lines) with equilibration time τ_eq increasing with N. For shorter chains N < N^* (green lines) equilibration is in the hopping regime with equilibration time τ_eq of open stickers decreasing with N. Logarithmic axes.