Abstract
Using molecular dynamic simulation, we study the stretching of an adsorbed homopolymer in a poor solvent with one end held at a distance from the substrate. We measure the vertical force on the end of the chain as a function of the extension and the substrate interaction energy . The force reaches a plateau value at large extensions. In the strong adsorption limit, we show that the plateau value increases linearly in in good agreement with a theoretical model. In the weak adsorption limit, a polymer globule with a layered structure is formed and elastically deformed when stretched. In both cases a simple theoretical model permits us to predict the relation between the necessary force to fully detach the polymer and its critical extension.
- Received 22 October 2003
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.70.012801
©2004 American Physical Society