Eur. Phys. J. E 1, 99-103
Unusual conformation of molecular cylindrical brushes strongly adsorbed on a flat solid surface
P.G. Khalatur1 - A.R. Khokhlov2 - S.A. Prokhorova3 - S.S. Sheiko3 - M. Möller3 - P. Reineker4 - D.G. Shirvanyanz1 - N. Starovoitova1
1 Department of Physical Chemistry, Tver State University, Tver 170002, Russia
2 Physics Department, Moscow State University, Moscow 117234, Russia
3 Organische Chemie III, Universität Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany
4 Theoretische Physik, Universität Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany
Pavel.Khalatur@tversu.ru
Received 13 September 1999
Abstract
Conformational properties of comb-like polymers strongly adsorbed on a flat solid
surface were
investigated using computer simulation and scanning force microscopy. The computer
simulation showed that
the macromolecules with asymmetric distribution of the side chains relatively to the
backbone are
effectively in a collapsed state even under conditions of a good solvent. They formed
peculiar helical
superstructures which could be observed by scanning force microscopy of cylindrical
brushes of
polymethylmethacrylate on mica.
PACS
61.25.Hq Macromolecular and polymer solutions; polymer melts; swelling -
61.20.Ja Computer simulation of liquid structure -
07.05.Tp Computer modeling and simulation
Copyright EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag
