Direct observation of morphological transition for an adsorbed single polymer chain.

ABSTRACT: A better understanding of the structure of polymers at solid interfaces is crucial for designing various polymer nano-composite materials from structural materials to nanomaterials for use in industry. To this end, the first step is to obtain information on how synthetic polymer chains adsorb onto a solid surface. We closely followed the trajectory of a single polymer chain on the surface as a function of temperature using atomic force microscopy. Combining the results with a full-atomistic molecular dynamics simulation revealed that the chain became more rigid on the way to reaching a pseudo-equilibrium state, accompanied by a change in its local conformation from mainly loops to trains. This information will be useful for regulating the physical properties of polymers at the interface.

SUBMITTER: Oda Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7708982 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature