Chunks of charge : effects at play in the assembly of macromolecules at fluid surfaces

Large macromolecules with hydrophobic backbones are known to assemble at the interface between immiscible liquids. This assembly is often unpredictable because of the subtle interplay among hydrophobic interactions, hydrophilic solvation, structural constraints, and the thermodynamics of adsorption....

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Veröffentlicht in:Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids. - 1992. - 29(2013), 35 vom: 03. Sept., Seite 10980-9
1. Verfasser: Robertson, Ellen J (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Richmond, Geraldine L
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2013
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
Schlagworte:Journal Article
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Large macromolecules with hydrophobic backbones are known to assemble at the interface between immiscible liquids. This assembly is often unpredictable because of the subtle interplay among hydrophobic interactions, hydrophilic solvation, structural constraints, and the thermodynamics of adsorption. In these studies, we employ vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy and interfacial tension measurements to study the assembly of a simple polyelectrolyte, poly(methacrylic acid), as it assembles at the interface between two immiscible liquids, specifically, carbon tetrachloride and water. By adjusting the polyelectrolyte charge through pH studies and the polymer size through molecular weight studies, we demonstrate that charge accumulation in segments of the polymer chains is a critical factor in macromolecular interfacial adsorption and desorption. The results have implications for related charged macromolecules whose ability to assemble between two immiscible fluid media is essential for many biological processes, water remediation efforts, and enhanced oil recovery
Beschreibung:Date Completed 17.03.2014
Date Revised 03.09.2013
published: Print-Electronic
Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE
ISSN:1520-5827
DOI:10.1021/la4021096