Entropic Effects of Copolymer Localization at Semiflexible Polymer Interfaces

We use a self-consistent mean-field theory which accounts for polymer semiflexibility to study the effects of semiflexible copolymers localized at the interface between a flexible and a semiflexible homopolymer. Our studies show that, in contrast to copolymers located at the interface between flexib...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecules 2002-02, Vol.35 (5), p.1905-1910
Main Authors: Li, Wentao, Ko, Glen H, Gersappe, Dilip
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Organic polymers
Physicochemistry of polymers
Properties and characterization
Surface properties
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Summary:We use a self-consistent mean-field theory which accounts for polymer semiflexibility to study the effects of semiflexible copolymers localized at the interface between a flexible and a semiflexible homopolymer. Our studies show that, in contrast to copolymers located at the interface between flexible polymers, entropic effects tend to dominate the behavior of the copolymers at semiflexible polymer interfaces. We find that the reduction in interfacial tension caused by the copolymer is a nonmonotonic function of the rigidity of the copolymer and the amount of copolymer added to the system.
ISSN:0024-9297
1520-5835
DOI:10.1021/ma011661z