Polyion interactions long-range effects

It is obvious that both intra-molecular and inter-polymer phenomena in polyelectrolyte solutions are dominated by coulomb forces. Repulsive interactions would be expected to diminish aggregation. At the same time, extended chain dimensions and the long-range character of electrostatic effects can promote forms of ordering unique to polyelectrolytes. Hydrodynamic, spectroscopic and thermodynamic methods have all been brought to bear on the coupled problems of conformation, counterion distribution and inter-polymer ordering in polyion solutions. These approaches are well represented in Part III by the works on Paoletti, Berry and Jamieson. 

---