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The European Physical Journal B
ISSN: 1434-6028 (printed version)
ISSN: 1434-6036 (electronic version)
Abstract Volume 3 Issue 3 (1998) pp 359-364
Compression induced phase transitions in PEO brushes: the n-cluster model
A. Halperin (a)
DRFMC-SI3M, CEA-Grenoble, 17 rue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
Received: 4 November 1997 / Revised: 29 January 1998 / Accepted: 24 March 1998
Abstract: The compression of brushes of terminally anchored chain within the de Gennes n-cluster model is analysed. This model was developed for Poly(ethylene oxide) in water but may apply to other systems. Brushes described by this model exhibit discontinuous concentration profile associated with the coexistence of an inner dense "phase" and an outer, dilute, one. The compression induces growth of the dense, weakly compressible region. This, in turn, gives rise to distinctive force profiles associated with changes of slope. When the dilute region disappears, the compression of two brushes can give rise to a transient attraction.
PACS. 36.20.Ey Conformation (statics and dynamics) - 61.25.Hq Macromolecular and polymer solutions; polymer melts; swelling - 82.70.Dd Colloids
(a) email: halper@bali.saclay.cea.fr
Article in PDF-Format (261 KB)
Online publication: July 14, 1998
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