Abstract
Combining monomer-resolved molecular dynamics simulations with a theory based on a variational free energy, we calculate the conformational properties and the effective interactions of star-branched polyelectrolytes for a large variety of arm numbers, degrees of polymerization, and charge fractions, with and without added salt. We find quantitative agreement between theory and simulation and put forward analytical expressions that allow the calculation of the interaction between such macromolecules.
- Received 27 July 2001
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.018301
©2001 American Physical Society