Complexation and coacervation of like-charged polyelectrolytes inspired by mussels

Complexation and coacervation of polyelectrolytes with oppositely charged colloids.

Polyelectrolyte-colloid coacervation could be viewed as a sub-category of complex coacervation, but is unique in (1) retaining the structure and properties of the colloid, and (2) reducing the heterogeneity and configurational complexity of polyelectrolyte-polyelectrolyte (PE-PE) systems. Interest in protein-polyelectrolyte coacervates arises from preservation of biofunctionality; in addition, ...

Complexation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes: effect of ion pair formation

Complexation in symmetric solutions of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes is studied theoretically. We include polyion crosslinking due to formation of thermoreversible ionic pairs. The electrostatic free energy is calculated within the Random Phase Approximation taking into account the structure of thermoreversible polyion clusters. The degree of ion association is obtained self-consistently ...

Complexation between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes: beyond the Random Phase Approximation

We consider the phase behavior of polymeric systems by calculating the structure factors beyond the Random Phase Approximation. The effect of this correction to the mean-field RPA structure factor is shown to be important in the case of coulombic systems. Two examples are given: simple electrolytes and mixtures of incompatible oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. In this last case, all former s...

Continuous filaments of negatively charged cellulose nanofibrils and polyelectrolytes by interfacial complexation

Complex coacervation of supercharged proteins with polyelectrolytes.

Complexation of proteins with polyelectrolytes or block copolymers can lead to phase separation to generate a coacervate phase or self-assembly of coacervate core micelles. However, many proteins do not coacervate at conditions near neutral pH and physiological ionic strength. Here, protein supercharging is used to systematically explore the effect of protein charge on the complex coacervation ...