Survey of Static Light Scattering Studies on PEC Solutions

2 Survey of Static Light Scattering Studies on PEC Solutions 

Due to the high sensitivity of the scattering intensity to the presence of supermolecular structures in polymer solutions, static light scattering is a very helpful tool to study the course of PEC formation and to characterize the structure of the generated particles. Nevertheless, in comparison to such methods as potentiometry, conductometry, turbidity and viscometry, SLS studies of PEC formation are rather scarce. 

Dubin et al. studied the formation of polyelectrolyte-micelle complexes between poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) and anionic/nonionic mixed micelles by static and dynamic light scattering [21-23]. Dynamic light scattering yields the hydrodynamic radius of the particles investigated (very useful information), especially in combination with SLS, allowing an assessment of the particle architecture. 

To demonstrate the high eflBciency of SLS studies using the improved scattering curve analysis, the results obtained on PEC formation between anionically and cationically modified poly(acrylamide) are given in this paper in more detail, also considering the information from other methods. 

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