  A method is formulated, based on combining self-consistent field theory with
dynamically corrected transition state theory, for estimating the rates of
adsorption and desorption of end-constrained chains (e.g. by crosslinks or
entanglements) from a polymer melt onto a solid substrate. This approach is
tested on a polyethylene/graphite system, where the whole methodology is
parametrized by atomistically detailed molecular simulations. For short-chain
melts, which can still be addressed by molecular dynamics simulations with
reasonable computational resources, the self-consistent field approach gives
predictions of the adsorption and desorption rate constants which are
gratifyingly close to molecular dynamics estimates.
