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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
06:26
Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
Published on: May 15, 2017
7.6K
Orientational transition and complexation of DNA with anionic membranes: Weak and intermediate electrostatic coupling
Sahin Buyukdagli1, Rudolf Podgornik2,3,4
1Department of Physics, Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey.
Physical Review. E
|July 24, 2019
Summary
Like-charge polyelectrolyte-membrane complexation is driven by interfacial counterion excess and surface-induced ionic correlations. These mechanisms control polyelectrolyte orientation and adsorption, revealing "salt-induced" image forces as key regulators.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Surface Science
Background:
- Understanding polyelectrolyte adsorption onto charged surfaces is crucial for applications in coatings, drug delivery, and biomaterials.
- Like-charge adsorption presents a counterintuitive phenomenon that requires detailed mechanistic investigation.
- Charge correlations at interfaces play a significant role in complex physicochemical interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms governing the adsorption of anionic polyelectrolytes onto similarly charged membranes.
- To investigate the influence of charge correlations and interfacial phenomena on like-charge complexation.
- To identify the role of "salt-induced" image forces in polyelectrolyte-membrane interactions.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of polyelectrolyte-membrane interactions.
- Analysis of charge correlations and interfacial counterion distributions.
- Investigation of electrostatic forces and orientational effects.
Main Results:
- Two primary mechanisms drive like-charge complexation: interfacial depletion/parallel orientation in weakly charged membranes and "salt-induced" image forces leading to perpendicular orientation in intermediate charge regimes.
- Increased membrane charge induces charge inversion via surface-induced ionic correlations, enabling long-range adsorption.
- Interfacial "salt-induced" image forces are identified as a critical control mechanism for polyelectrolyte-membrane complexation.
Conclusions:
- Like-charge adsorption is governed by intricate interplay of electrostatic forces, counterion behavior, and surface charge density.
- The study highlights the significance of interfacial phenomena and charge correlations in dictating complex formation between charged polymers and membranes.
- "Salt-induced" image forces offer a tunable pathway for controlling polyelectrolyte adsorption and interfacial properties.
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