Stoichiometry and structure of polyelectrolyte complex particles in diluted solutions

UV/VIS spectroscopy, potentiometry, viscometry, static and dynamic light scattering as well as electron microscopy were used to study the Stoichiometry and structure of polyelectrolyte complexes between Na‐poly(styrenesulfonate) and copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylamide of various composition. In diluted, non‐stoichiometric solutions polyelectrolyte complex formation leads to polydisperse systems of highly aggregated, nearly spherical particles, which are stabilized by a slight excess of the major component. At the 1:1 molar mixing ratio flocculation occurs. The structure density of the polyelectrolyte complexes depends strongly on the composition of the polycations.