Electrostatic complexation of spheres and chains under elastic stress

We consider the complexation of highly charged semiflexible polyelectrolytes with oppositely charged macroions. On the basis of scaling arguments we discuss how the resulting complexes depend on the persistence length of the polyelectrolyte, the salt concentration, and the sizes and charges of the chain and the macroions. We study first the case of complexation with a single sphere and calculate the wrapping length of the chain. We then extend our consideration to complexes involving many wrapped spheres and study cooperative effects. The mechanical properties of such a complex under an external deformation are evaluated.(C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.