Dynamics of collapse of flexible polyampholytes

We provide a theory for the dynamics of collapse of flexible polyampholytes (PAs) using Langevin equation. Metastable pearl-necklace structures form in a time scale proportional to N-4/5 (N is the number of monomers). In the late stage of collapse the pearls merge with the largest one growing at the expense of smaller ones (Lifshitz-Slyozov mechanism). The time scale for this process is tau(coll)similar to N. Counterion-mediated collapse of strongly charged polyelectrolytes (PEs) follow a similar route to the globular state. Simulations support the proposed collapse mechanism for PAs and PEs. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(00)52237-5].