Semianalytical continuum model for nondilute neutral and charged brushes including finite stretching

P.M. Biesheuvel, W.M. de Vos, V.M. Amoskov

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52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A semianalytical theory for neutral and charged monodisperse brushes under the strong-stretching limit of the self-consistent-field equation including corrections for finite stretching and nondilute conditions. The strong-stretching limit of the SCF equation is based on assuming at each position in the brush, that is above the grafting interface, and a mean-field approach in the lateral direction, the validity of the equation is V(h) - V(x)=μ(ø(x))-μ(ø(h)). V is the stretching or SCF potential which is a function of distance from the interface, x, with h the brush height. An approach based on the Carnahan-Starling equations-of-state from liquid-state theory for hard sphere mixtures was undertaken. It was observed that charged brushes's increasing charge and decreasing ionic strength have very different effects on the end-density distribution, the maximum of which moves toward the edge of the brush with increasing charge.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6254-6259
Number of pages6
JournalMacromolecules
Volume41
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Aug 2008
Externally publishedYes

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