Elasticity-driven spontaneous curvature of a 2D comb-like polymer with repulsive interactions in the side chains.

We have shown that the rectilinear conformation of a 2D comb-like polymer with symmetrical left-right distribution of the side chains relative to the backbone is thermodynamically unstable. The minimum of the free energy of the comb molecule per unit of its length is attained at asymmetrical distribution of the side chains accompanied by the bending of the backbone. The curved conformation is characterized by a lower elastic energy of the side chains.