Sequence fluctuation-dependent adsorption{endash}depletion transition for random heteropolymers

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Journal of Chemical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.471397· OSTI ID:434617

Gutman, L ^[1]; Chakraborty, A K ^[2]

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1. Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
2. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)

We develop a model for the adsorption of random heteropolymers onto solid surfaces from solutions that have a finite concentration of polymer. Previous studies that properly average over the quenched sequence distribution have been concerned with isolated chains near surfaces. Our self-consistent-field theory predicts a transition from situations where the surface segment density is enhanced compared with bulk solution concentration to one wherein the surface segment density is depleted. For a specific chemical identity of the random heteropolymer segments and the surface, this adsorption{endash}depletion transition occurs above a threshold value of the strength of the sequence fluctuations. This intriguing finding can be tested directly via neutron scattering experiments (in the reflection mode), and offers opportunities for manipulating interfacial properties. The variation of the excess surface density of segments with polymer concentration in solution near the adsorption{endash}depletion transition is also elucidated. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 434617
• Journal Information: Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Physics Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 104; ISSN JCPSA6; ISSN 0021-9606
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
ADHESION
ADSORPTION
CHAINS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
DENSITY
DISORDERED SYSTEMS
FLUCTUATIONS
INTERFACE PHENOMENA
INTERFACES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
POLYMERS
SELF-CONSISTENT FIELD
SOLUTIONS