Semiflexible Polymer Brushes: Most Probable Configuration Approach Based on Cotinuous Chain Model

Abstract

The properties of semiflexible polymer brushes are studied by applying the classical limit of mean-field approach for chains with marginal chain stiffness. Using the mean-spherical Gaussian model, the most probable configuration for semiflexible chains is obtained, which reduces to the parabolic brush of Milner et al. [Mac-romolecules 1988, 21, 2610] in the flexible limit. From this configuration, equilibrium brush height as well as interactions between semiflexible brushes are estimated.