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Polyelectrolyte Conformation Controlled by a Trivalent-Rich Ion Jacket

Sarah N. Innes-Gold, Philip A. Pincus, Mark J. Stevens, and Omar A. Saleh
Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 187801 – Published 29 October 2019
Physics logo See Synopsis: Perturbing Polymers with Salty Solutions
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Abstract

The configuration of charged polymers is heavily dependent on interactions with surrounding salt ions, typically manifesting as a sensitivity to the bulk ionic strength. Here, we use single-molecule mechanical measurements to show that a charged polysaccharide, hyaluronic acid, shows a surprising regime of insensitivity to ionic strength in the presence of trivalent ions. Using simulations and theory, we propose that this is caused by the formation of a “jacket” of ions, tightly associated with the polymer, whose charge (and thus effect on configuration) is robust against changes in solution composition.

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  • Received 29 April 2019
  • Revised 2 August 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.187801

© 2019 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Polymers & Soft Matter

Synopsis

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Perturbing Polymers with Salty Solutions

Published 29 October 2019

A new model explains the deformation of polymers in an ionic solution in terms of the concentration and distribution of ions.

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Authors & Affiliations

Sarah N. Innes-Gold

  • Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA

Philip A. Pincus

  • Materials Department and Physics Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA

Mark J. Stevens

  • Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1315, USA

Omar A. Saleh*

  • Materials Department and BMSE program, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA

  • *saleh@ucsb.edu

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Issue

Vol. 123, Iss. 18 — 1 November 2019

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