Adsorption of a polyelectrolyte chain on a charged surface: a Monte Carlo simulation of sealing behaviour

We study the adsorption of a charged polymer chain (polyelectrolyte) grafte d to an oppositely charged surface by means of an off-lattice Monte Carlo s imulation. We consider the effects of chain ionization, surface charge dens ity, and solution ionic strength on the conformational and interfacial prop erties of the model system. By varying the chain length of the polyelectrol yte over a broad range we determine the critical parameters for adsorption and find a very good agreement with recent scaling predictions for polyelec trolyte adsorption in the various regimes of chain ionization and salt cont ent of the solution.