Polyelectrolytes tethered to a free surface

Several attempts have been already carried out in order to tether charged c hains by an end at a free fluctuating surface. We review here most of these attempts and focus on how close the physics of charged brushes can be inve stigated by such an approach. We first, describe results about films of cha rged-neutral diblock copolymers spread at the surface of water. Results can be mostly rationalized in terms of charged brushes although additional str ucturations and fluctuations of the interface can be observed. The latter d eformations are also observed when adsorbed layers of charged-neutral diblo ck copolymers are considered. At last, we examine how free suspended films of charged-neutral diblock copolymers can be viewed as two opposing charged brushes, both in terms of thickness and pressure.