Journal
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
Volume 239, Issue -, Pages 2-16Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2016.04.004
Keywords
Polyelectrolytes; Coacervation; Polymer physics; Electrostatics; Complexation
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Oppositely charged polymers can undergo the process of complex coacervation, which refers to a liquid-liquid phase separation driven by electrostatic attraction. These materials have demonstrated considerable promise as the basis for complex, self-assembled materials. In this review, we provide a broad overview of the theoretical tools used to understand the physical properties of polymeric coacervates. In particular, we discuss historic theories (Voorn-Overbeek, Random Phase Approximation), and then describe recent developments in the field (Field Theoretic, Counterion Release, Molecular Simulation, and Polymer Reference Interaction Site Model methods). We provide context for these methods, and map out the patchwork of theoretical models that are used to describe a diverse array of coacervate systems. We use this review of the literature to clarify a number of important theoretical challenges remaining in our physical understanding of complex coacervation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available