Polymacromonomers with a main chain much larger than the side-chain length adopt the form of cylindrical brush polymers the contour length per main-chain monomer of which depends on the side-chain length. In the present investigation it is demonstrated that the length per monomer also depends on the solvent quality, i.e., the cylinders are shorter in a poor solvent as compared to a good solvent. It is argued that the repulsion of the side chains represents the extension force, which acts against the entropic contraction force of the main chain. Thus, cylindrical brushes may be suitable as responsive materials for sensors, actuators or soft machines.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Fischer et al. (2001) studied this question.