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Phase transitions of a neutral polyampholyte

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  • Barbosa, Marcia C.
  • Levin, Yan

Abstract

The behavior of a neutral polyampholyte, PA, chain with N monomers is analyzed in the framework of Flory's affine network theory of rubber elasticity. The PA chain, in addition to the neutral monomers, also contains an equal number of positively and negatively charged monomers. In order to account for the electrostatic interaction, the Debye-Hückel theory augmented by the Bjerrum's ideas of dipolar formation is used. We find that at high temperatures the chain exists in a dilute collapsed state with a radius of gyration scaling as Nν with ν = 13 (microelectrolyte). For low temperatures the PA resembles an affine network (microgel) with ν = 25. In the θ solvent, ν = 38. If the quality of the solvent is decreased, the microgel undergoes a collapse transition into a compact globular state. The high and low temperature regimes are separated by a first-order phase transition. The full phase-diagram of the PA is calculated as a function of temperature and quality of the solvent.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbosa, Marcia C. & Levin, Yan, 1996. "Phase transitions of a neutral polyampholyte," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 231(4), pages 467-483.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:231:y:1996:i:4:p:467-483
    DOI: 10.1016/0378-4371(96)00107-0
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