ISSN:
1435-1536
Keywords:
polyelectrolytes
;
mean-field
;
self-consistent
;
titration
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Notes:
Abstract A self-consistent mean-field calculation of conformational properties for an infinitely dilute polymer system is presented. We derive an approximate closed expression for the density distribution of monomers starting from the assumption of a general mean-field interaction potential. This may allow, upon the application of a suitable closure, other polymer properties to be calculated. Here, we apply this expression to the case of a polyelectrolyte having a distribution of ionizable groups along its backbone. The mean-field potential is then electrostatic in origin and assumed a solution of an extended Poisson-Boltzmann equation. In addition to monomer and potential profiles we calculate the polyelectrolyte's titration characteristics under a variety of internal and external conditions. We also include comparisons with simpler descriptions that assume a fixed conformation for the macromolecule
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01490253
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