Dynamics of chainlike molecules of surfaces

We consider the diffusion and spreading of chainlike molecules on solid surfaces. We first show that the steep spherical cap shape density profiles, observed in some submonolayer experiments on spreading polymer films, imply that the collective diffusion coefficient DC(θ) must be an increasing function of the surface coverage θ for small and intermediate coverages. Through simulations of a discrete model of interacting chainlike molecules, we demonstrate that this is caused by an entropy-induced repulsive interaction. Excellent agreement is found between experimental and numerically obtained density profiles in this case, demonstrating that steep submonolayer film edges naturally arise due to the diffusive properties of chainlike molecules. When the entropic repulsion dominates over interchain attractions, DC(θ) first increases as a function of θ but then eventually approaches zero for →θ1. The maximum value of DC(θ) decreases for increasing attractive interactions, leading to density profiles that are in between spherical cap and Gaussian shapes. We also develop an analytic mean-field approach to explain the diffusive behavior of chainlike molecules. The thermodynamic factor in DC(θ) is evaluated using effective free-energy arguments and the chain mobility is calculated numerically using the recently developed dynamic mean-field theory. Good agreement is obtained between theory and simulations.Peer reviewe