A SELF-CONSISTENT MEAN-FIELD MODEL OF POLYELECTROLYTE SOLUTIONS - AN INTRODUCTION

A self-consistent mean-field calculation of conformational properties for an infinitely dilute polymer system is presented. We derive an approximate closed expression for the density distribution of monomers starting from the assumption of a general mean-field interaction potential. This may allow, upon the application of a suitable closure, other polymer properties to be calculated. Here, we apply this expression to the case of a polyelectrolyte having a distribution of ionizable groups along its backbone. The mean-field potential is then electrostatic in origin and assumed a solution of an extended Poisson-Boltzmann equation. In addition to monomer and potential profiles we calculate the polyelectrolyte's titration characteristics under a variety of internal and external conditions. We also include comparisons with simpler descriptions that assume a fixed conformation for the macromolecule © 1990 Steinkopff.