Theoretical study of temperature influence on the electrophoresis of a pH-regulated polyelectrolyte

The influence of temperature on the electrophoresis of a spherical, pH-regulated polyelectrolyte (PE) particle having both acidic and basic functional groups in an aqueous salt solution containing multiple ionic species is investigated theoretically. The type of particle considered simulates entities including proteins, biomolecules, and synthetic polymers. The applicability of the model proposed is verified by the experimental data of succinoglycan nanoparticles reported in the literature. Taking a glycin PE as an example, the variations of its mobility with the temperature, bulk salt concentration, and pH are examined through numerical simulation. Empirical relationships that correlate the mobility with these factors are obtained for temperature, bulk salt concentration, and pH ranging from 293 to 308 K, 10(-4) to 10(-2) M, and 2-10.5, respectively. Several interesting and important results for the PE mobility are observed. These results provide not only valuable information for interpreting experimental data but also for designing electrophoresis devices where temperature can play a role.