Charged macromolecules are molecules that have a net electrical charge. When these molecules are dissolved in water, they interact with each other through electrostatic forces. These forces can cause the molecules to self-assemble into a variety of structures, such as crystals, gels, and membranes.
The current understanding of how charged macromolecules self-assemble is based on the Debye-Hückel theory, which was developed in the early 20th century. The Debye-Hückel theory predicts that the electrostatic interactions between charged macromolecules are long-range and repulsive. This means that the molecules will tend to stay as far away from each other as possible, which will lead to the formation of open, disordered structures.
However, the new theory developed by the University of Illinois researchers shows that the electrostatic interactions between charged macromolecules can actually be short-range and attractive. This means that the molecules will tend to cluster together, which will lead to the formation of more compact, ordered structures.
The new theory is based on a combination of theoretical calculations and experimental measurements. The calculations show that the electrostatic interactions between charged macromolecules are affected by the size and shape of the molecules, as well as by the concentration of salt in the solution. The experimental measurements confirm that the new theory can accurately predict the self-assembly behavior of charged macromolecules.
The new theory could have implications for the design of new materials. For example, the theory could be used to design new materials that are stronger and more conductive. The theory could also be used to understand biological processes, such as the formation of cell membranes and the assembly of viruses.
"Our new theory provides a new way of understanding how charged macromolecules self-assemble," said study leader Professor Jianhua Xing. "This could lead to the development of new materials and to a better understanding of biological processes."
