Using different segmental dynamics and relaxation, characteristics of the interface growth is examined in an electrophoretic deposition of polymer chains on a three (2+1)-dimensional discrete lattice with a Monte Carlo simulation. Incorporation of faster modes such as crankshaft and reptation movements along with the relatively slow kink-jump dynamics seems crucial in relaxing the interface width. As the continuously released polymer chains are driven (via segmental movements) and deposited, the interface width W grows with the number of time steps $t,W\propto t^{\beta },(\beta \sim 0.4–0.8),$ which is followed by its saturation to a steady-state value $W_s.$ Stopping the release of additional chains after saturation while continuing the segmental movements relaxes the saturated width to an equilibrium value ${(W}_s\to W_r).\mathrm{}$ Scaling of the relaxed interface width $W_r$ with the driving field $E,\hspace{0.5em}\hspace{0.5em}{W}_r\propto E^{-1/2}$ remains similar to that of the steady-state $W_s$ width. In contrast to monotonic increase of the steady-state width $W_s,$ the relaxed interface width $W_r$ is found to decay (possibly as a stretched exponential) with the molecular weight.

• Received 3 October 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.65.041606