Scattering investigations of the structure and chain conformations, and the rheological properties of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) comprising model polyelectrolytes are presented. The use of charged polypeptides - (poly)-lysine and (poly)-glutamic acid with identical backbones allowed for facile tuning of the system parameters, including chain length, side-chain functionality, and chirality...

The self-assembly of microtubules and charged membranes has been studied, using x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Polyelectrolyte lipid complexes usually form structures templated by the lipid phase, when the polyelectrolyte curvature is much larger than the membrane spontaneous curvature. When the polyelectrolyte curvature approaches the membrane spontaneous curvature, as in microtubu...

This study aims to evidence the formation of stable polyelectrolyte complex particles as colloidal dispersions using some weak polyelectrolytes: chitosan and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) as polycations and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid – co – acrylic acid) (PAMPSAA) as polyanions. Polyelectrolyte complex particles as colloidal dispersion were prep...

During the course of our studies on the effect of polyanions upon the viability of bacteriophage T2 (1, 2), we noticed that the ability of specific antiserum to neutralize this virus can be blocked by a small amount of anionic polyelectrolyte. It is well established that complementary structure plays a role in the specific fit of antigen and antibody in the complex, and it is thought currently ...

The present study aims to develop an understanding of the interactions between an anionic polyelectrolyte, poly sodium 4-styrene sulphonate (NaPSS), and cationic surface active imidazolium based ionic liquids (SAILs), [Cnmim][Cl] (n = 10, 12, 14) using a multi-technique approach. Various physicochemical and electrochemical techniques such as surface tension, conductivity, fluorescence, isotherm...

The growth of bone marrow stromal cells was assessed in vitro in macroporous hydrogels based on 2-hydro- xyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) copolymers with different electric charges. Copolymers of HEMA with sodium methacrylate (MA(-)) carried a negative electric charge, copolymers of HEMA with [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MOETA(-)) carried a positive electric charge and terp...

Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles for delivering model protein drug ovalbumin were prepared from two polysaccharide polymers, alginate and chitosan. The parameters influencing the complex formation were characterised using colloid titration in combination with dynamic light scattering. The polyelectrolyte interactions and morphology of the formed complexes were verified by differentia...

During the course of our studies on the effect of polyanions upon the viability of bacteriophage T2 (1, 2), we noticed that the ability of specific antiserum to neutralize this virus can be blocked by a small amount of anionic polyelectrolyte. It is well established that complementary structure plays a role in the specific fit of antigen and antibody in the complex, and it is thought currently ...