ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the basic mechanisms underlying adsorption of long-chain molecules on solid surfaces such as oxides. For a finite polymer length, however, the equilibrium behavior is, in some sense, similar to the adsorption of small molecules, and a nonzero bulk polymer concentration is needed for the adsorption of polymer chains on the substrate. The chapter discusses extensions to adsorption of block copolymers and to polymers that are terminally grafted to the surface on one side. It examines mainly homopolymers where the polymers are composed of the same repeated unit (monomer). The chapter shows a general introduction to the problem of polymer adsorption at thermodynamical equilibrium. It also reviews simple physical concepts underlying the main theories which deal with equilibrium and static properties of polymers adsorbed or grafted to substrates. The chapter looks at the equilibrium behavior of many chains adsorbing on a surface in contact with a bulk reservoir of chains at equilibrium.
