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Coupling of conformational and ionizatin equilibria in linear poly(ethylenimine): a study based on site binding/rotational isomeric state (SBRIS) model


Coupling of conformational and ionizatin equilibria in linear poly(ethylenimine): a study based on site binding/rotational isomeric state (SBRIS) model

J.L. Garcés, S. Madurga, M. Borkovec

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 16 (2014) 4626.

 2014-line3-a-250x200

Possible ionization and the conformational state of a linear polyethyleneimine (LPEI) oligomer with four amine groups. The conformation and charge distribution of the polyelectrolyte is treated at different levels.

The conformational and ionization properties of linear polyethylenimine are studied by combining the site binding model (SB) with the rotational isomeric state (RIS) model, developed by Flory to calculate the conformational properties of neutral linear molecules. The resulting approach (the SBRIS model) is used to rationalise the experimental polyethylenimine titration curves. By fitting the experimental macroconstants, conformational and binding parameters are obtained. The obtained values are consistent with previous binding and structural information. In order to account for excluded volume and long-range electrostatic interactions, Monte Carlo simulations are performed. The results indicate that at high ionic strengths, long-range interactions have a very limited impact on the titration curves. However, for long chains, they have a significant influence on the radius of gyration.