Copolymers at Interfaces: Scaling and Monte Carlo Studies

(Received 16 January 1996, received in final form 13 February 1996, accepted 22 March 1996)

Abstract
We investigate using scaling arguments and Monte Carlo simulations the adsorption properties of AB-copolymers at the interface between two selective solvents. For random copolymers adsorption is determined by a single scaling variable, which is the same both for ideal chains and for excluded volume chains; numerical simulations based on the bond fluctuation model support the scaling prediction very well. For alternating AB-copolymers adsorption can be described (through a one-step renormalization) as a homopolymer problem at a penetrable interface; scaling is again obeyed well, as we demonstrate through simulations.