Polyelectrolyte simulation

We present results of a Monte Carlo simulation of weakly charged chains at infinite dilution but with added salt. The charges on the chain interact with a screened Coulomb potential of the Debye‐Hückel type. Trial chain configurations are generated by means of the Pivot algorithm which is shown to exhibit short relaxation times also with Coulomb interaction. The extension of the coils as well as their shape is discussed for varying solution conditions characterized by the screening parameter ζ = 2λD/b where λD is the Debye length and b is the contour distance between neighbouring charged segments. There is an evident influence of the flexibility of the underlying neutral chain on properties of the charged chain. The resulting behaviour of the electrostatic persistence length is compared with predictions recently made by Barrat and Joanny.