This work investigates the change in conformations and the entropic free energy barrier in the “head-on” adsorption process of a flexible polymer chain towards a flat surface in the framework of the Gaussian chain model. Analytical expressions are reported for the distribution of chain end, the mean square end-to-end distance, the entropic free energy barrier and the adsorption equilibrium constant at low surface coverage (the “mushroom” regime). Theoretical results are discussed in the context of polyoxyethylene-phosphonate-type polymer dispersants, possessing a non-adsorbing polyoxyethylene chain and an adsorbing head-group.

中文翻译：

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一条聚合物链向平坦表面“正面”吸附的构象性质和熵屏障†

这项工作研究了在高斯链模型的框架中，柔性聚合物链向平坦表面“正面”吸附过程中构象的变化和熵自由能垒。报告了链端的分布，端到端的均方根距离，熵自由能垒和低表面覆盖率（“蘑菇”状态）的吸附平衡常数的解析表达式。在具有非吸附性聚氧乙烯链和吸附性头基的聚氧乙烯-膦酸酯型聚合物分散剂的背景下讨论了理论结果。