Dynamics of complexation of a charged dendrimer by linear polyelectrolyte: Computer modelling

Abstract

Brownian-dynamics simulations have been performed for complexes formed by a charged dendrimer and a long oppositely charged linear polyelectrolyte when overcharging phenomenon is always observed. After complex formation the orientational mobility of the individual dendrimer bonds, the fluctuations of the dendrimer size, and the dendrimer rotational diffusion have been simulated. Corresponding relaxation times do not depend on the linear-chain length in a complex and are close to those for a single neutral dendrimer. At the same time fluctuations of the size of a complex are completely defined by the corresponding fluctuations of a linear polyelectrolyte size. Adsorbed polyelectrolyte practically does not feel the rotation of a dendrimer; simulated complexes may be considered as nuts with light core (dendrimer) and heavy shell (adsorbed linear polymer); the electrostatic contacts between dendrimer and oppositely charged linear polymer are easily broken due to the very fast dendrimer-size fluctuations.