Number fluctuations of the condensing agent affects the coil-toroid coexistence for semi-stiff polyelectrolytes

J Phys Condens Matter. 2010 Oct 20;22(41):414103. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/22/41/414103. Epub 2010 Sep 30.

Abstract

A semi-stiff charged polymer with counterions and salt was investigated using a Monte Carlo method with the Wang-Landau sampling scheme. Simulations show the coexistence of thermodynamically stable structures-prolonged and compact (toroidal-like). The transition between the two states is accompanied by concentration fluctuations for the condensing agent. Compact structures are accompanied by more multivalent counterions than prolonged ones.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrolytes / chemistry*
  • Monte Carlo Method*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Probability
  • Rotation

Substances

  • Electrolytes
  • Polymers