Interactions between surfaces coated with solvophobic and solvophilic homopolymers

Using scaling theory, we investigate the interaction between two planar surfaces that are coated with both A and B homopolymers. The polymers are tethered by one end and grafted at relatively low densities. The B chains are chosen to be solvophobic, while the A polymers are solvophilic. Calculating the energy of interaction versus distance profile, we find that the curve shows a wide attractive region as the surfaces are compressed. The features of this profile can be tailored by varying the length and grafting densities of the different chains. Our results provide guidelines for controlling the interaction between polymer-coated colloidal particles.