Homework #5 Problem #4
A polymer brush consists of a layer of polymers attached at one end to a surface,
which extends outward from the surface [wikipedia]. The polymers can be attached
to the surface of the substrate in many different ways. Essentially, the polymers act
as a barrier between the two components and even under significant loading can
provide beneficial lubrication properties. The Bielecki paper discusses grafted-form
structures that are covalently attached to the substrate. The paper goes on to
discuss that when the polymer brushes are immersed in a good solvent they can
achieve a low coefficient of friction. However, when immersed in a poor solvent, the
polymer brushes do not provide good lubrication properties. Essentially, the
polymers act as a barrier between the two components and even under significant
loading can provide