Phase Behavior and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complexes (PECs)

PECs can be formed by electrostatic interactions between pairs of polyelectrolytes of a wide variety. Manipulation of the conditions of synthesis can result in stable colloidal particles with dimensions on the order of 100 nm diameter. The molecular weights of the polyelectrolytes and the types of ionizable groups determine the behavior and utility of the PECs at solid-water interfaces and their interactions with micelles. Light scattering and FT-IR techniques can be used to characterize the PECs in solution and at interfaces.