Formation of polymer brushes inside cylindrical pores: a computer simulation study.

The formation process of polymer brushes, formed by the adsorption of flexible end-functionalized chains from dilute solutions on the inner surface of cylindrical pores is studied by bond fluctuation Monte Carlo simulations. Various properties as the grafting density, monomer, and free-end distribution are monitored as a function of pore diameter D and chain length N. Two different modes of end-segment attachment on the inner pore surface are considered: (a) pure-irreversible "hard" grafting and (b) irreversible "soft" grafting where grafted-ends can move freely on the pore surface but cannot detach from it.