TY  - JOUR
A1  - Cherstvy, Andrey G.
A1  - Winkler, R. G.
T1  - Polyelectrolyte adsorption onto oppositely charged interfaces  image-charge repulsion and surface curvature
T2  - The journal of physical chemistry : B, Condensed matter, materials, surfaces, interfaces & biophysical chemistry
N2  - We analyze theoretically the influence of low-dielectric boundaries on the adsorption of flexible polyelectrolytes onto planar and spherical oppositely charged surfaces in electrolyte solutions. We rationalize to what extent polymer chains are depleted from adsorbing interfaces by repulsive image forces. We employ the WKB (Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin) quantum mechanical method for the Green function of the Edwards equation to determine the adsorption equilibrium. Scaling relations are determined for the critical adsorption strength required to initiate polymer adsorption onto these low-dielectric supports. Image-force repulsion shifts the equilibrium toward the desorbed state, demanding larger surface charge densities and polyelectrolyte linear charge densities for the adsorption to take place. The effect is particularly pronounced for a planar interface in a low-salt regime, where a dramatic change in the scaling behavior for the adsorption-desorption transition is predicted. For the adsorbed state, polymers with higher charge densities are displaced further from the interface by image-charge repulsions. We discuss relevant experimental evidence and argue about possible biological applications of the results.
Y1  - 2012
UR  - https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/35703
SN  - 1520-6106
VL  - 116
IS  - 32
SP  - 9838
EP  - 9845
PB  - American Chemical Society
CY  - Washington
ER  -