Article

Polymer-brush lubricated surfaces with colloidal inclusions under shear inversion.

Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
Physical Review Letters (impact factor: 7.37). 04/2011; 106(16):168301. pp.168301
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT We characterize the response of compressed, sheared polymer-brush bilayers with colloidal inclusions to highly nonstationary inversion processes by means of molecular dynamics simulations and scaling theory. Bilayers with a simple (dimeric) solvent reveal an overshoot for the shear stress, while simulations of dry brushes without explicit solvent molecules fail to display this effect. We demonstrate that mechanical instabilities can be controlled by the inclusion of macromolecular structures, such as colloids of varying softness. Based on a recently developed theory, we suggest a scaling approach to determine a characteristic time for conformational and collective responses.

0 0
 · 
0 Bookmarks
 · 
44 Views
Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

Bilayers
 
collective responses
 
colloids
 
developed theory
 
dry brushes
 
explicit solvent molecules
 
mechanical instabilities
 
molecular dynamics simulations
 
nonstationary inversion processes
 
scaling approach
 
scaling theory
 
shear stress
 
sheared polymer-brush bilayers
 

L Spirin