AbstractDisplacement of pre-adsorbed macromolecules by the same polymer, polybutadiene, of the same or of different molecular weight was studied in solution and in the bulk. The effect of polymer concentration on pre-adsorption and displacement processes was determined. Displacement was investigated by gel permeation chromatography and by determination of the amount of bound polymer before and after displacement. A conformational factor was established as a major driving force - besides molecular weight - in the displacement process. Polymer chains adsorbed in flat conformation had the highest adsorption stability and could not be displaced by any other molecular weight of the same polymer.
