Theory for chain conformations and static structure of dilute and semidilute polyelectrolyte solutions

A theory is presented for the conformational properties and static structure of polyelectrolyte solutions. The theory combines field theoretic methods with liquid-state theory, and incorporates screening from counterions and polyions through a self-consistently determined solvation potential. Predictions for the size of the polymer molecules and the static structure factor are in good agreement with molecular dynamics simulations over the entire concentration regime, with no adjustable parameters.