Dynamical clustering of counterions on flexible polyelectrolytes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-24-2008

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of charge fluctuations around a polyelectrolyte molecule at charge densities above and below the classic counterion condensation threshold. Surprisingly, the counterions form weakly interacting clusters which exhibit slowly decaying short range orientational order. Local charge fluctuations create energy fluctuations at the order of kBT that is sufficient to affect the polyelectrolyte interaction with an approaching ligand molecule. The predictions of the classical theory appear to be appropriate only over much longer time scales. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

Identifier

41549128826 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Physical Review Letters

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.128301

e-ISSN

10797114

ISSN

00319007

Issue

12

Volume

100

Grant

0307099

Fund Ref

National Science Foundation

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