Finite-stretching corrections to the Milner-Witten-Cates theory for polymer brushes.
Eur Phys J E Soft Matter
; 23(2): 135-44, 2007 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17551667
ABSTRACT
This paper investigates finite-stretching corrections to the classical Milner-Witten-Cates theory for semi-dilute polymer brushes in a good solvent. The dominant correction to the free energy originates from an entropic repulsion caused by the impenetrability of the grafting surface, which produces a depletion of segments extending a distance mu proportional to L(-1) from the substrate, where L is the classical brush height. The next most important correction is associated with the translational entropy of the chain ends, which creates the well-known tail where a small population of chains extend beyond the classical brush height by a distance xi proportional to L(-1/3). The validity of these corrections is confirmed by quantitative comparison with numerical self-consistent field theory.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Polímeros
/
Algoritmos
/
Modelos Moleculares
/
Modelos Químicos
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2007
Tipo de documento:
Article