Eur. Phys. J. B 3, 359-364 (1998)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050323

Compression induced phase transitions in PEO brushes: the n-cluster model

DRFMC-SI3M, CEA-Grenoble, 17 rue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble Cedex 9, France

Corresponding author: ^a halper@bali.saclay.cea.fr

Received: 4 November 1997
Revised: 29 January 1998
Accepted: 24 March 1998
Published online: 15 June 1998

Abstract

The compression of brushes of terminally anchored chain within the de Gennes n-cluster model is analysed. This model was developed for Poly(ethylene oxide) in water but may apply to other systems. Brushes described by this model exhibit discontinuous concentration profile associated with the coexistence of an inner dense "phase" and an outer, dilute, one. The compression induces growth of the dense, weakly compressible region. This, in turn, gives rise to distinctive force profiles associated with changes of slope. When the dilute region disappears, the compression of two brushes can give rise to a transient attraction.