SAXS methods for investigating macromolecular and self-assembled polyelectrolyte complexes

Amanda B. Marciel, Samanvaya Srivastava, Jeffrey M. Ting, Matthew V. Tirrell

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polyelectrolyte complexation is driven by associative interactions between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, resulting in formation of a macroscopic polymer dense phase and a polymer dilute phase with applications in coatings, adhesives, and purification membranes. Beyond macroscale phase separation, precision polymer synthesis has enabled further development of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC)-based self-assembled micelles and hydrogels with applications in biotechnology. Interestingly, it has been suggested that mechanisms similar to polyelectrolyte complexation drive formation of biological condensates that play an indispensable role in cellular biogenesis. The formation pathways and functionality of these complex materials is dependent on the physical properties that are built into polymer structure and the resulting physical conformation in the dilute and dense phase. Scattering techniques have enabled in situ investigation of structure-function relationships in PEC materials that may address unresolved biophysical questions in cellular processes as well as catalyze the development of novel materials for diverse applications. We describe preparation of PEC materials with controlled polymer characteristics (length, blockiness, charge density), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques employed to probe appropriate length scales, and the data analysis routines from a practical standpoint for new users. This article deals with bulk complexes and not with the related, important and interesting area of non-equilibrium layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolytes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationLiquid-Liquid Phase Coexistence and Membraneless Organelles
EditorsChristine D. Keating
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages223-259
Number of pages37
ISBN (Print)9780128211595
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Enzymology
Volume646
ISSN (Print)0076-6879
ISSN (Electronic)1557-7988

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Coacervate
  • Liquid-liquid phase separation
  • Polyelectrolyte complexation
  • SAXS
  • Self-assembly

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