Generation of multimacroion domains in polyelectrolyte solutions by change of ionic strength or pH (macroion charge)

Multimacroion domains in polyelectrolyte solutions were generated by decrease of ionic strength (sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) solutions) or by pH-induced increase of macroion charge (solutions of poly(acrylic acid)). Generation of domains was investigated by static and dynamic light scattering experiments in which scattering contributions from individual polyions (fast mode) and domains (slow mode) were separated such that amplitudes of both modes were expressed in absolute units. Both generation of domains in a fully homogeneous solutions (without domains) and growth of smaller domains already existing in solution were observed. An interesting feature of obtained results is that formation of domains was neither immediate nor gradual in many cases. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.