Bundle Binding in Polyelectrolyte Solutions

Journal Article · Thu Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 1999 · The Physical Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.82.101· OSTI ID:3220

Stevens, M J

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. Due to dynamical constraints the systems tend to order into a network of connected bundles, not a single bundle.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 3220
• Report Number(s): SAND99-0170J; ON: DE00003220
• Journal Information: The Physical Review, Journal Name: The Physical Review
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
Polymers
Electrolytes
Intermolecular Forces
Computerized Simulation