DIFFUSIVE GROWTH OF A POLYMER LAYER BY IN-SITU POLYMERIZATION

We consider the growth of a polymer layer on a fiat surface in a good solvent by in situ polymerization. This is viewed as a modified form o f diffusion-limited aggregation without branching. We predict theoreti cally the formation of a pseudo-brush with density phi(z) proportional to z(-2/3) and characteristic height H proportional to t(3). These re sults are found by combining a mean-field treatment of the diffusive g rowth (marginally valid in three dimensions) with a scaling theory (Fl ory exponent nu = 3/5) of the growing polymers. We confirm their valid ity by Monte Carlo simulations.