Cluster Formation in Grafted Polymers with Interactive End-Groups

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Abstract
We performed a Monte Carlo simulation to model the behavior of grafted polymers that contain functional groups on the “free” ends of the chains. When the attraction between these end-groups is sufficiently strong to overcome the stretching energy of the chains, the end-groups aggregate and the system thereby undergoes a micro-phase separation. Our results indicate how to tailor the end-group interactions, the chain length and the grafting density in order to control the lateral properties of the grafted layer.