The Structure of Polyelectrolyte Complex Coacervates and Multilayers

The equilibrium structure of the polyelectrolyte (PE) complex coacervates and homogeneous multilayers formed by polycations polyanions with incompatible backbones in a poor solvent is studied using mean-field approach. state diagrams involving symmetric asymmetric phases are obtained terms interaction parameters, ionic strength, composition. It found that interfacial tension between two coexisting uniform PE vanishes at certain line, where both remain stable (unlike classical critical behavior) highly distinct composition charge. also shown microdomain coacervate phase gets thermodynamically low enough salinity. Lamellar structures arising investigated all segregation regimes (weak, strong, intermediate). mechanism an exponential growth multilayer thickness upon layer-by-layer deposition elucidated. predicted rate increases solution strength agreement experimental data.