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Polyelectrolytes-Theory and Simulations

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Soft Matter Characterization

1 Introduction

Polyelectrolytes are polymers that have the ability to dissociate charges in polar solvents, which result in charged polymer chains (macroion) and mobile counterions. They represent a broad and interesting class of soft matter [1], which enjoys an increasing attention in the scientific community. For example, in technical applications polyelectrolytes are used as viscosity modifiers to reduce drag in oil pipelines, or to make low-fat dairy products creamy. They are used in sewage plants to clean water by precipitating heavy metal ions. They are also responsible for the ability of sanitary napkins or baby-diapers to absorb enormous amounts of water, and are hence called superabsorbers.

A thorough understanding of charged soft matter has become of great interest also in biochemistry and molecular biology. This is due to the fact that virtually all proteins, as well as other biopolymer, such as DNA, actin, or microtubules are polyelectrolytes. Moreover, the cell membrane is...

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Acknowledgments

I gratefully acknowledge the contributions of my coworkers D. Antypov, A. Arnold, M. Barbosa, M. Deserno, K. Kremer, H. J. Limbach, and B. A. Mann to this review. This work has been supported partially by German Science Foundation (DFG) through SFB 625, TR6 and Ho-1108/11-1, a DAAD-Probal contract.

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  1. Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research Mainz, Mainz, Germany

    C. Holm*

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  1. C. Holm*
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  1. CERMAV, CNRS-UPR 5301 and Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble Cedex 9, France

    Redouane Borsali

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of California - Stanford Stauffer II, 375 North-South Mall, 94305-5080, Stanford, CA, USA

    Robert Pecora (Professor) (Professor)

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Holm*, C. (2008). Polyelectrolytes-Theory and Simulations. In: Borsali, R., Pecora, R. (eds) Soft Matter Characterization. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4465-6_6

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