TERRACED SPREADING MECHANISMS FOR CHAIN MOLECULES

The behavior of monomolecular layers of fluid spreading on a solid sub strate is examined using molecular dynamics simulations of polymerlike liquids. We consider drops of chain molecules of lengths 8 and 16, co mposed of Lennard-Jones atoms bound by confining potentials, spreading on an atomic solid substrate. Different strengths of the solid-fluid interaction are studied, in cases where a spreading drop forms distinc t layers. We emphasize the conformational properties of the molecules while spreading and the dynamics of the individual layers. In particul ar, the questions of interlayer mass transfer and permeability are exa mined in the light of theoretical models.