Adsorption of polymer chains at surfaces. II. Amplitude ratios for end-to-end distance distribution at the critical point of adsorption

Abstract

Previous work on polymer adsorption at surfaces is extended by evaluating universal amplitudes for a single chain, fixed with one end at the surface (called a ‘‘surface chain’’), at the critical point of adsorption. Ratios of mean square end-to-end distances of surface and bulk chains as well as short distance amplitudes for the end-to-end distance distributions of a surface chain are calculated. Contrary to a previous claim, the behavior of all these quantities is consistent with an effectively attractive surface at the critical point of adsorption.