Unimolecular spreading of a molecular brush on adsorbing surface.

Using scaling concepts and the analytical self-consistent field theory we explore different conformations of a molecular brush on a planar substrate in nonsolvent environment (air-solid interface). The relationship between architecture and stress in adsorbed macromolecule is determined in terms of spreading parameter, grafting density and degree of polymerization of the side chains. A novel tentlike shape of molecular cross-section as well as rectangular and combined (tentlike + rectangular) conformations are predicted and examined. We demonstrate that strong adsorption of densely branched macromolecules on a planar substrate can lead to stress in molecular backbone sufficient to break covalent bonds.