Monte Carlo simulations of star-branched polyelectrolyte micelles
Abstract
The concentration profiles of monomers and counterions in star-branched polyelectrolyte micelles are calculated through Monte Carlo simulations, using the freely jointed chain model. We have investigated the onset of different regimes corresponding to the spherical and Manning condensation of counterions as a function of the strength of the Coulomb coupling. The Monte Carlo results are in fair agreement with the predictions of Self-Consistent-Field analytical models. We have simulated a real system of diblock copolymer micelles of (sodium-polystyrene-sulfonate)(NaPSS) (polyethylene propylene)(PEP) with f=54 hydrophilic branches of N=251 monomers at room temperature in salt-free solution. The calculated form factor compares nicely with our neutron scattering data.
- Publication:
-
European Physical Journal E
- Pub Date:
- November 2002
- DOI:
- 10.1140/epje/i2002-10086-0
- arXiv:
- arXiv:cond-mat/0210572
- Bibcode:
- 2002EPJE....9..313R
- Keywords:
-
- 82.70.-y;
- 61.20.-p;
- 82.35.Rs;
- Disperse systems;
- complex fluids;
- Structure of liquids;
- Polyelectrolytes;
- Condensed Matter - Soft Condensed Matter
- E-Print:
- 14 pages, 20 figures