EFFECT OF MOLECULAR ARCHITECTURE ON THE ADSORPTION OF COPOLYMERS

We developed Monte Carlo compute simulations to model the adsorption of AB copolymers from solution onto a solid surface. Using this model, we examined the role that the arrangement of the monomers in the copolymer plays in determining the structure of the adsorbed film. The comonomer sequence is varied from alternating to random to various blocky arrangements. We assume that the A comonomer is attracted to the surface, while the B monomer is unreactive with, or repelled by, the interface. We find that the structure of the adlayer is sensitive not only to the amount of A present in the chain but also to the arrangement of the A units along the chain. These findings are relevant to such applications as steric stabilization, adhesion, and lubrication.