Structure formation in random copolymer brushes

The behavior of copolymers at impenetrable interfaces can be exploited to effectively modify the properties of the underlying substrate. In this application, a common practice is to tether the chains by one end onto a solid surface. The chains are referred to as a polymer 'brush'. An important challenge is to determine how the microstructure or architecture of the polymer affects the morphology of the brush, and consequently, the macroscopic interfacial properties. In this paper, brushes containing both A and B monomers are considered. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and numerical Self-Consistent Field (SCF) methods are used to determine the effects of copolymer architecture on the structure of the polymer brush. In particular, it is shown how the copolymer architecture alters the properties of polymer brushes. Results obtained provide guidelines for controlling the size and shape of the B domains, as well as the morphology of the polymer brush.