Bundle Binding in Polyelectrolyte Solutions

Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1998 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.82.101· OSTI ID:289138

Stevens, M J ^[1]

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1. Computational Materials Sciences, MS 1111, Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 (United States)

Stiff polyelectrolytes are found to spontaneously form oriented bundles. Conditions under which bundling occurs are found. Molecular dynamics simulations show that divalent counterions are necessary, and the chains must be sufficiently long and stiff. No aggregation occurs for monovalent counterions. For flexible or short chains, aggregation occurs but bundle formation does not. Because of dynamical constraints, the systems tend to order into a network of connected bundles, not a single bundle. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society }

• OSTI ID: 289138
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 82; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
AGGLOMERATION
BENDING
CHAINS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTROLYTES
LENNARD-JONES POTENTIAL
MOLECULAR DYNAMICS METHOD
SIMULATION
SOLUTIONS