Can nonspecifically bound divalent counterions induce attraction between DNA strands? Here, we present experimental evidence demonstrating attraction between short DNA strands mediated by Mg2+ ions. Solution small angle x-ray scattering data collected as a function of DNA concentration enable model independent extraction of the second virial coefficient. As the [Mg2+] increases, this coefficien...

In this Letter, we consider a neutral system of mobile positive and negative charges confined on the surface of curved films. This may be an appropriate model for: i) a highly charged membrane whose counterions are confined to a sheath near its surface; ii) a membrane composed of an equimolar mixture of anionic and cationic surfactants in aqueous solution. We find that the charge fluctuations c...

A mean-field theory based on Gibbs-Bogoliubov inequality is constructed to study the interactions between two like-charged polyions. It is shown that contrary to the previously established paradigm, a properly constructed mean-field theory can quantitatively account for the attractive interactions between two like-charged rods. One of the most fascinating problems that has recently appeared in ...

We examine the effective counterion-mediated electrostatic interaction between two like-charged dielectric cylinders immersed in a continuous dielectric medium containing neutralizing mobile counterions. We focus on the effects of image charges induced as a result of the dielectric mismatch between the cylindrical cores and the surrounding dielectric medium and investigate the counterion-mediat...

Monte Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the effects of salt concentration, valence and size of small ions, surface charge density, and Bjerrum length on the overcharging of isolated spherical nanoparticles within the framework of a primitive model. It is found that charge inversion is most probable in solutions containing multivalent counterions at high salt concentrations. The max...

We performed a molecular dynamics simulation of dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine (DPPS) bilayer with Na+ counterions. We found that hydrogen bonding between the NH group and the phosphate group leads to a reduction in the area per headgroup when compared to the area in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer. The Na+ ions bind to the oxygen in the carboxyl group of serine, thus giving rise to a dip...

By molecular dynamics simulations we investigate the transport of charged polymers in confinement, under externally applied electric fields, in straight cylinders of uniform diameter and in the presence of monovalent or multivalent counterions. The applied electric field has two components; a longitudinal component along the axis of the cylinder and a transversal component perpendicular to the ...

We discuss the peculiarities of structure interface between a metal and stable colloidal dispersion charged nanoparticles in an electrolyte. It is demonstrated that quasi-2D ionic elevated density arises its vicinity due to effect electrostatic image forces. The stabilized particles, being electroneutral spatially distributed objects bulk electrolyte approaching interface, are attracted it. In ...

Non-mesogenic unit bearing Keggin-type polyoxoanions with tetra-n-octylammonium counterions exhibit an ionic liquid crystalline structure via ionic self-assembly in a certain temperature range.