Chain Collapse and Counterion Condensation in Dilute Polyelectrolyte Solutions
Abstract
A new quantitative theory for polyelectrolytes in salt free dilute solutions is developed. Depending on the electrostatic interaction strength, polyelectrolytes in solutions can undergo strong stretching (with polyelectrolyte dimension Rg lB1/3N, where lB is the Bjerrum length and N is the number of the chain segments) or strong compression (with Rg lB-1/2N1/3). A strong polymer collapse occurs as a first-order phase transition due to accompanying counterion condensation.
0
Turn this paper into a full lesson
ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.