We review the current state on the thermodynamic behavior and structural phases of self- and mutually-attractive dilute semiflexible polymers that undergo temperature-driven transitions. In extreme dilution, polymers may be considered isolated, and this single polymer undergoes a collapse or folding transition depending on the internal structure. This may go as far as to stable knot phases. Adding polymers results in aggregation, where structural motifs again depend on the internal structure. We discuss in detail the effect of semiflexibility on the collapse and aggregation transition and provide perspectives for interesting future investigations.

We review the current state on the thermodynamic behavior and structural phases of self- and mutually-attractive dilute semiflexible polymers that undergo temperature-driven transitions. In extreme dilution, polymers may be considered isolated, and this single polymer undergoes a collapse or folding transition depending on the internal structure. This may go as far as to stable knot phases. Adding polymers results in aggregation, where structural motifs again depend on the internal structure. We discuss in detail the effect of semiflexibility on the collapse and aggregation transition and provide perspectives for interesting future investigations.

With this thesis, I present an experimental study focusing on the provision of thermodynamic data of fluids at elevated pressure and temperature conditions. Hereby a microcapillary setup that is equipped with an in situ Raman Spectroscopy unit as well as with a high-speed camera, was further improved within the scientific employment of the author. The setup consists in principle of a fused-silica microcapillary embedded in a heating block, which is furthermore connected to high pressure syringe pumps. Pure compounds and mixtures were studied with the microfluidic setup and different thermodynamic properties were determined. For instance, vapor pressures of Poly(oxymethylene) Dimethyl Ethers (OME3 and OME4), a potential class of renewable diesel fuels, were the first time measured for temperatures exceeding the atmospheric boiling temperature. Hereby the regarded compound is pressurized at constant temperature, from what the vapor pressure is determined optically by detecting bubble or film formation, indicating the transition from vapor to liquid state. The main results of this thesis were however the vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE) of fuel/air-systems that were determined by in situ Raman Spectroscopy, whereby the Stokes-scattered Raman signal can be successfully separated phase-dependently by light barrier technology. A further task was the determination of saturated mixture densities of the validation system ethanol/CO2. With this study, I intend to contribute to the scarce literature data for the studied systems and properties. Therewith I want to help to enhance the understanding of microprocesses such as the evaporation and mixing formation in diesel combustion engines.