Theory of static scattering from weakly charged copolymers in solution

Abstract

The static scattering properties of weakly charged copolymers in solution are investigated. The cases of symmetrical and nonsymmetrical diblocks are considered and various structure factors calculated. The electrostatic interaction is introduced via a combination of the random-phase approximation and the Debye-Huckel approximation. Several cases of charge distributions are considered. In particular, diblock copolymers made of neutral and charged monomers and oppositely charged monomers are considered. All the cases deal with systems in the homogeneous disordered phase where no mesophase structures or micelle formations can be observed.