Polyelectrolyte
Polyelectrolyte
Polyelectrolyte (/ˌpɒliɪˈlɛktrəlaɪt/) is a type of polymer in which the monomer units are charged. This term is derived from the Greek words 'poly' meaning 'many', and 'electrolyte', which refers to a substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in a polar solvent.
Definition
A polyelectrolyte is a high molecular weight polymer that carries ionizable groups and, hence, can exist as a polycation or a polyanion. The charges are introduced by covalent bonding and are an integral part of the polymeric structure.
Types of Polyelectrolytes
Polyelectrolytes can be classified into two types: natural and synthetic. Natural polyelectrolytes include proteins, DNA, and RNA. Synthetic polyelectrolytes include polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethyleneimine.
Applications
Polyelectrolytes have a wide range of applications in various fields. They are used in water treatment, as flocculating agents, in oil recovery, as thickeners in cosmetics, and in drug delivery systems.
See Also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Polyelectrolyte
- Wikipedia's article - Polyelectrolyte
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