GRAFTED MACROMOLECULES WITH ADSORBING ENDS

Using a self-consistent field approach we analyze the equilibrium char acteristics of macromolecules grafted at one end onto a planar surface and having an adsorbing group at the second end. Three different syst ems are considered: (1) isolated end-adsorbing Gaussian chain, (2) end -adsorbing chains admired into a polymer brush with nonadsorbing free ends, and (3) polymer brush formed by the end-adsorbing macromolecules . The dependences of the average height and dispersion of the adsorbin g ends are calculated as functions of the adsorption energy and the ch ain length. The experimental results on relevant systems are discussed . (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.