Polymer adsorption on colloidal particles

P.A. Pincus , C.J. Sandroff , T.A. Witten

We consider the adsorption of polymers on colloidal particles — spheres and cylinders — whose dimensions are comparable to solution polymer radii of gyration. Adsorption occurs if the « sticking energy » per monomer exceeds a certain threshold. For a colloidal particle, this threshold increases by an amount inversely proportional to its radius. In addition, the repulsive interactions between monomers limit the number which may be attached to a given particle. Thus, there is a characteristic degree of polymerization, N*, proportional to the surface area of the particle. For N < N *, one chain may completely clothe a given particle; for N > N*, a polymer chain is decorated by the colloidal particles like beads on a necklace.

Mots clés: adsorption; colloids; polymer solutions

Domaines: Articles anciens

P.A. Pincus, C.J. Sandroff, T.A. Witten. Polymer adsorption on colloidal particles. Journal de Physique, 1984, 45 (4), pp.725-729. ⟨10.1051/jphys:01984004504072500⟩. ⟨jpa-00209803⟩