Density functional theory for a simple model of dendrimers is proposed. The theory is based on fundamental measure theory, which accounts for the hard-sphere repulsion of the segments and on the Wertheim first-order perturbation theory for the correlations due to connectivity. Set of the recurrence formulas for the ideal chain contribution involving simple integrals is derived. By using perturbation theory dispersion forces can be easily included.

• Received 12 April 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.80.042801