Eur. Phys. J. E 3, 237-244
Polyelectrolyte gels in poor solvent: Elastic moduli
T.A. Vilgis1,2 - A. Johner1 - J.F. Joanny1
1 Laboratoire Européen Associé, Institut Charles Sadron,
6, rue Boussingault, F-67083 Strasbourg Cedex, France
2 Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Postfach 3148, D-55021
Mainz, Germany
vilgis@mpip-mainz.mpg.de
Received 7 April 2000
Abstract
We study theoretically using scaling arguments
the behavior of polyelectrolyte gels in poor solvents. Following
the classical picture of Katchalsky, our approach is based on
single-chain elasticity but it accounts for the recently proposed
pearl necklace structure of polyelectrolytes in poor solvents. The
elasticity both of gels at swelling equilibrium and of partially
swollen gels is studied when parameters such as the ionic strength
or the fraction of charged monomers are varied. Our theory could
be useful to interpret recent experiments performed in Strasbourg
that show that if identical gel samples are swollen to the same
extent at different pH the sample with the highest charge
has the lowest shear modulus.
PACS
36.20.-r Macromolecules and polymer molecules - 61.25.Hq
Macromolecular and polymer solutions; polymer melts; swelling
- 61.41.+e Polymers, elastomers, and plastics
Copyright EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag
