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Time is Length in Self-Similar Logarithmic Aging of Physically Cross-Linked Semiflexible Polymer Networks

Patrick Ilg1,*, Clarisse Luap2,†, and Martin Kröger3,4,‡

  • 1School of Mathematical, Physical, and Computational Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AX, United Kingdom
  • 2Independent Researcher, 8049 Zurich, Switzerland
  • 3Magnetism and Interface Physics, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
  • 4Computational Polymer Physics, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland

  • *Contact author: p.ilg@reading.ac.uk
  • †Contact author: clarisse.luap@alumni.ethz.ch
  • ‡Contact author: mk@mat.ethz.ch

Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 158101 – Published 9 October, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/1slf-41nm

Abstract

Physical aging in polymers is a fundamental yet poorly understood phenomenon, as diverse macromolecular systems exhibit remarkably similar slow dynamics. Through molecular dynamics simulations of physically cross-linked networks composed of semiflexible polymers, we identify a previously unexplored class of self-similar aging. The network undergoes ultraslow coarsening characterized by a logarithmically growing mesh size, L(t)∼lnt, which governs the spatial organization, cohesive and bending energies, and the aging dynamics of the system. This single time-dependent length scale defines an internal clock, giving rise to spatiotemporal self-similarity of both structure and dynamics—offering a perspective on aging in soft and disordered materials.

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