Polymer chains and networks in narrow slits: highlights of recent results

We review some recent results obtained by our group, on the generai subject of polymers confined within narrow slits. First, we present a derivation of the free energy of compression of two-and three-dimensionaI networks between paraIlel waIls. Then, we consider the problem of the adhesion between two parallel surfaces, produced by an ensemble of chains forming irreversible and randomly distributed bonds with the walls. We evaluate the free energy change and the elastic moduli of the polymer layer, corresponding to both tangential (shear) and normal (elongation and compression) deformations. Both calculations adopt different variants the phantom chain model, whereby polymer-polymer interactions are neglected.