Web Release Date: January 23,
Model of Ionization Response of Weak Polyacids in a Layered Polyelectrolyte Self-Assembly
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Department of Physics, University of Illinois, 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, 1304 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801
Received August 22, 2001
In Final Form: November 19, 2001
Abstract:
We present a simple, quantitative model that predicts the ionization behavior of a weak polyacid as strong polyelectrolyte layers are deposited. The theory treats such layered self-assemblies akin to one-dimensional, ionic solids via electrostatics but, importantly, includes local pH response of solution via buffer capacity. The model reduces to a nonlinear, iterative map having a single free parameter and agrees well with experiment. The map shows that steady-state is determined by the polyacid's initial ionization and that polyelectrolyte charges self-adjust.
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