Equilibrium Charge Distribution on Annealed Polyelectrolytes

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations are used to study the non-uniform equilibrium charge distribution along a single annealed polyelectrolyte chain under theta-solvent conditions and with added salt. Within a range of the order of the Debye length charge accumulates at chain ends while a slight charge depletion appears in the central part of the chain. The simulation results are compared with theoretical predictions recently given by Castelnovo et al. In the parameter range where the theory can be applied we find almost perfect quantitative agreement.