title: Clusters in strong polyelectrolyte solutions in the condensation theory approach.
abstract: The interaction free energy of parallel clusters of like-charged rod polyelectrolytes in solution is calculated in the framework of the extended condensation theory. For sufficiently high linear charge density of the polyelectrolyte, clustering takes place. The greater is the number of polyelectrolytes participating to the cluster, the smaller is the equilibrium interpolyelectrolyte distance, and the deeper is the corresponding free energy minimum. It is a counterintuitive organization due to the increasing of the counterion condensed charge and condensation volume, taking place as the polyelectyrolytes approach each other.
authors.affiliation: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Institute for Macromolecular Studies (ISMAC), via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy. perico@ge.ismac.cnr.it
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perico
authors.forename: Arnaldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rapallo