Polyelectrolyte-Micelle Complexes

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The binding of polyelectrolytes to oppositely charged colloids and surfaces is important in biological phenomena and in environmental processes. The binding energetics are controlled by the colloid surface charge density, the effective charge of the polyion binding sequence, and the Debye screening length. The structure of the resultant complexes or aggregates depends, in addition, on the dimensions of the colloidal particle, the chain length of the polyion, and the concentrations of these two species. This work describes polyelectrolyte - nonionic/ionic micelle systems as a paradigm for the investigation of these effects. Interaction energetics will be explored by establishing the interrelationship among various parameters at critical binding conditions. The structure of soluble polyion-micelle complexes will be explored using static and dynamic light scattering, as a function of the dimensions of the two macroionic species. Of special interest is the transition from intrapolymer micelle binding, to polymer bridging of micelles, as the size of the micelle increases relative to that of the polyion. Phenomenological relationships developed will be compared to current theoretical treatments, and their general utility will be evaluated for other charged colloids, e.g. silica.