Theory of Y‐ and Comb‐Shaped Polymer Brushes: The Parabolic Potential Framework

The parabolic approximation for self-consistent molecular potential is widely used theoretical analysis of conformational and thermodynamic properties polymer brushes formed by linear or branched macromolecules. architecture-dependent parameter the (topological coefficient) can be calculated arbitrary architecture from condition elastic stress balance in all branching points. However, calculation routine topological coefficient does not allow unambiguously identifying range applicability accuracy approximation. Here limits are explored means numerical field method Y-shaped comb-like polymers. It demonstrated that violation shape evidenced appearance multimodal distribution end monomer unit longest path macromolecule. asymmetry polymers disturb as long degree polymerization root segment remains sufficiently large. same applies to comb-shape with main chain large number For short multiple modes observed related deviation potential.