Levels of structure formation in aqueous solutions of anisotropic association colloids consisting of rodlike polyelectrolytes

We report about structure formation in salt-free aqueous solutions of amphiphilic poly(p-phenylene)sulfonates (PPPs) that are models of rodlike polyelectrolytes. In water, PPPs form cylindrical micelles with constant diameter but variable length depending on the molar mass of PPPs. These micelles are the building blocks for the formation of higher ordered structures. The observed structures suggest attractive interactions between the cylindrical micelles in solution as predicted by counterion condensation theory for univalent counterions and for divalent counterions by computer simulations. By comparing the characteristics of structure formation for micelles of different length, the effect of the contour length of the cylindrical macroions on these attractive interactions might be revealed.