Phase Separation of Polyelectrolyte Solutions

Structure and phase behavior of polyelectrolyte star solutions.

Using the recently developed effective interaction potentials between polyelectrolyte stars, we examine the structure and phase behavior of solutions of the same. The effective interaction is ultrasoft and density dependent, owing to the integration of the counterionic degrees of freedom. The latter contribute extensive volume terms that must be taken into account in drawing the phase diagram o...

Interactions and phase behaviour of polyelectrolyte star solutions

In this work, we first briefly review recent results regarding effective interactions of charged star polymers (polyelectrolyte stars) and then we present new results for many-body systems obtained by employing this interaction. The dominant role is played by the trapped counterions that bring about an entropic repulsion between the centres of these macromolecular aggregates. Subsequently, we e...

Shear-induced phase separation in polyelectrolyte/mixed micelle coacervates.

A quantitative study of the shear-induced phase separation of a polycation/anionic-nonionic micelle coacervate is presented. Simultaneous rheology and small-angle light scattering (SALS) measurements allow the elucidation of micrometer-scale phase separation under flow in three coacervate solutions. Below 18 degrees C, all three of the coacervate solutions are optically clear Newtonian fluids a...

Theory of Polyelectrolyte Solutions

Equilibrium Swelling Study of Cationic Acrylamide-Based Hydrogels: Effect of Synthesis Parameters, and Phase Transition in Polyelectrolyte Solutions

Cationic copolymer gels of acrylamide and [(methacrylamido) Propyl] trimethyl ammonium chloride (MAPTAC) were synthesized by free radical aqueous solution polymerization. The Taguchi method, a robust experimental design, was employed for the optimization of the synthesis based on the equilibrium swelling capacity of the hydrogels. Based on Taguchi method a standard L16 orthogonal array with fiv...