Self-assembled polyelectrolyte systems

Self-assembly of matter is of fundamental importance in different fields of science, including life sciences. It is a widely used term that describes the phenomena of self-organization. From the viewpoint of a colloid scientist it is limited, according to Shinoda's concept, to the requirements of amphiphilicity in solute-solvent interactions. Starting from this concept different types of self-assembled polyelectrolyte systems have to be addressed. In the first part of this review, lyotropic liquid crystalline and hydrophobic polyelectrolytes, i.e. block polyelectrolytes, associating polyelectrolytes and polysoaps are discussed. In these cases the amphiphily is introduced into the hydrophilic polyelectrolyte chain by a partial rigidity (partial chain stiffness) or partial hydrophobicity (hydrophobic blocks or side chains). Secondly, polyelectrolyte-surfactant systems are described. Here, self-assembly is created by interactions between the polyelectrolyte and the surfactant molecules. Polyelectrolyte-surfactant interactions in dilute or semi-dilute solutions, as well as in gels or the solid state are reviewed. Lastly, self-assembly that is largely controlled by the surfactant component is discussed. In this case, polyelectrolytes can be considered as modifiers of surfactant based microemulsions, liquid crystals or foam films. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of these different fields of self-assembled polyelectrolyte systems, illustrated by some selected examples. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ali rights reserved.