title: Dynamics of polyelectrolyte solutions under a constant gradient of base concentration.
abstract: Phase-separation dynamics of weakly charged polyacid solutions under a constant gradient of base concentration is studied both theoretically and numerically. The time-evolution equation of polymer volume fraction is derived by assuming that the chemical equilibrium of the dissociation reaction is locally established. Numerical simulations of the system in contact with two reservoirs in which the base concentrations differ are performed. The numerical results show that the polymer volume fraction can be transported by the concentration gradient of the base, which leads to the dynamic behavior of mesophase domain structures.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okuzono
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomotaka
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toyotama
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors.forename: Junpei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions