DOI: 10.1051/jp2:1997187
J. Phys. II France 7 (1997) 1287-1298
A New Scaling Theory of Semiflexible Polymer Phases Near Attracting Surfaces
Dmitri V. Kuznetsov and Wokyung SungDepartment of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790-784, Korea
(Received 18 August 1996, revised 16 May 1997, accepted 26 May 1997)
Abstract
The finite chain backbone stiffness in polymers gives rise to a number of novel behaviors described on short length scales.
We analyze the semiflexible polymer phases near surfaces using a new scaling theory, incorporating the surface attraction
in terms of its range and depth. It is found that the phase diagram includes five different phases: desorbed, weakly-adsorbed
with both isotropic and nematic-type distribution of polymer segments inside the potential well, strongly-adsorbed states
with the isotropic and nematic-type distribution. We draw conclusions on the orders of the transitions between the phases.
© Les Editions de Physique 1997