Length scale dependence of the dynamic properties of hyaluronic acid solutions in the presence of salt.
In solutions of the charged semirigid biopolymer hyaluronic acid in salt-free conditions, the diffusion coefficient D(NSE) measured at high transfer momentum q by neutron spin echo is more than an order of magnitude smaller than that determined by dynamic light scattering, D(DLS). This behavior contrasts with neutral polymer solutions. With increasing salt content, D(DLS) approaches D(NSE), which is independent of ionic strength. Contrary to theoretical expectation, the ion-polymer coupling, which dominates the low q dynamics of polyelectrolyte solutions, already breaks down at distance scales greater than the Debye-Hückel length.
Section on Tissue Biophysics and Biomimetics, Program in Pediatric Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 13 South Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States.
Ferenc
F
Horkay
Peter
P
Falus
Anne-Marie
AM
Hecht
Erik
E
Geissler
D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry
D004573:Electrolytes; D012996:Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid