Macroscopic forces in inhomogeneous polyelectrolyte solutions.

Budkov, Yury A; Kalikin, Nikolai N · Phys Rev E · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

In this paper, we present a self-consistent field theory of macroscopic forces in spatially inhomogeneous flexible chain polyelectrolyte solutions. We derive an analytical expression for a stress tensor which consists of three terms: isotropic hydrostatic stress, electrostatic (Maxwell) stress, and stress rising from conformational entropy of polymer chains-conformational stress. We apply our theory to the description of polyelectrolyte solutions confined in a conductive slit nanopore and observe anomalous behavior of disjoining pressure and electric differential capacitance.