Nanoscale pattern formation in polyelectrolyte gels

Prateek K. Jha, Francisco Solis, Juan J. De Pablo, Monica Olvera De La Cruz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Polyelectrolyte (PE) gels exhibit complex phase behavior that includes the existence of nanostructures in poor-solvent conditions. The formation of these inhomogeneous structures is made possible by the competition between the short-range hydrophobic, elastic, and entropic interactions and the long-range electrostatic forces. We develop a theoretical framework that describes the effect of monomer and charge inhomogeneities in PE gels. Numerical calculations performed on a salt-free PE gel with one-dimensional heterogeneities demonstrate the presence of nanophases for a finite range of physical parameters.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationResponsive Gels and Biopolymer Assemblies
Pages1-6
Number of pages6
StatePublished - 2010
Event2009 MRS Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Nov 30 2009Dec 2 2009

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume1234
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Other

Other2009 MRS Fall Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period11/30/0912/2/09

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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