Neutron reflectometry was used to investigate the density profiles of
polymer brushes and an adsorbed polymer layer under shear. The brushes
consisted of end-functionalized deuterated polystyrene. The adsorbed
polymer was a random copolymer of deuterated styrene and 4-vinylpyridi
ne. The brush and the adsorbed layer were sheared by the flowing of so
lvents over the polymer, with a maximum shear rate of 10(4) s(-1). Den
sity profiles of the brush and the layer were determined before, durin
g and after shear. The shear had no observable effect on the polymer p
rofiles in any of the experiments. We discuss these results in the con
text of other experiments and a recent theory.