Ion multivalence and like-charge polyelectrolyte attraction

Phys Rev Lett. 2003 Jul 11;91(2):028301. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.028301. Epub 2003 Jul 11.

Abstract

It is known empirically that multivalent ions generate attractions between like-charged polyelectrolytes, with different valence requirements for different systems. How multivalent must an ion be before it can condense a given polyelectrolyte? Using charge-tunable M13 virus rods and a family of artificial homologous "dumbbell" divalent ions of different sizes, we have constructed a multivalent ion-polyelectrolyte phase diagram, and find an experimentally motivated general criterion for like-charged attraction based on the ion valence, ion size, and the Gouy-Chapman length.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anions / chemistry
  • Bacteriophage M13 / chemistry*
  • Cations, Divalent / chemistry
  • Electrolytes / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Static Electricity
  • X-Ray Diffraction
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Anions
  • Cations, Divalent
  • Electrolytes