Simulation of the Critical Adsorption of Semi-Flexible Polymers

The critical adsorption of semi-flexible polymer chains on attractive surfaces is studied using Monte Carlo simulations. The results reveal that the critical adsorption point of a free polymer chain is the same as that of an end-grafted one. For the end-grafted polymer, we find that the finite-size scaling relation and the maximum fluctuation of adsorbed monomers are equivalent in estimating the critical adsorption point. The effect of chain stiffness on the critical adsorption is also investigated. The surface attraction strength for the critical adsorption of semi-flexible polymer chain decreases exponentially with an increase in the chain stiffness; In other words, lower adsorption energy is needed to adsorb a stiffer polymer chain. The result is explained from the viewpoint of the free energy profile for the adsorption.