Hypothesis

At selective liquid–liquid interface, amphiphilic homopolymers, having groups with different affinity for the liquids in each monomer unit, would demonstrate higher occupation of the interfacial layer than copolymers with various distributions of groups and be advantageous as interface stabilizers.

Experiments

By means of Langevin dynamics computer simulation, conformations of multiple chains of amphiphilic macromolecules adsorbed at the liquid–liquid interface were studied. Monomer units having different affinity for the liquids were distributed variously along the polymer chains. Homopolymers, amphiphilic at the level of an individual monomer unit, and copolymers with random, altermating and multiblock distribution of groups were considered. The surface coverage, structure of the layer, and spatial distribution of monomer units were investigated depending on the polymer concentration.

Findings

Compared to copolymers with random, alternating and multiblock distributions of the groups, the interfacial layer concentration of amphiphilic homopolymer is about 1.5 times higher, the adsorbed layer is remarkably thinner, has membrane-like structure and is asymmetric with respect to interface boundary. Also, the adsorbed amphiphilic homopolymers form fewer loops and tails, most located on one side of the interface. This combination of properties is promising for practical application in modern self-assembling molecular devices.

中文翻译：

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流体界面上的多链吸附：两亲均聚物与共聚物

假设

在选择性的液-液界面上，两亲均聚物对每个单体单元中的液体具有不同的亲和力，与具有各种基团分布的共聚物相比，界面层的占有率更高，并且作为界面稳定剂是有利的。

实验

通过Langevin动力学计算机模拟，研究了液-液界面处吸附的两亲大分子的多链构象。对液体具有不同亲和力的单体单元沿聚合物链不同地分布。考虑了均聚物，单个单体单元水平的两亲性以及具有无规，交替和多嵌段基团分布的共聚物。根据聚合物浓度，研究了表面覆盖率，层结构和单体单元的空间分布。

发现

与基团具有无规，交替和多嵌段分布的共聚物相比，两亲均聚物的界面层浓度高约1.5倍，吸附层明显更薄，具有膜状结构并且相对于界面边界不对称。而且，吸附的两亲均聚物形成较少的环和尾，大部分位于界面的一侧。这些特性的组合有望在现代自组装分子装置中实际应用。