Abstract
The swelling of polyelectrolyte (PE) gels by 1:1 and 2:1 salts is studied via osmotic ensemble Monte Carlo simulations at constant osmotic pressure and electrolyte chemical potential of a reservoir phase in equilibrium with a model PE network. Large molecular weight gels exhibit a remarkable swelling response to small changes in 2:1 salt concentration. Gel collapse is accompanied by the formation of a previously unknown heterogeneous nanostructure, predicted by theory and observed in simulations, consisting of regions dense in monomers coexisting with regions rich in mono- and divalent ions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 194907 |
Journal | Journal of Chemical Physics |
Volume | 131 |
Issue number | 19 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry