The distribution of Sr2+ counterions around polyacrylate chains analyzed by anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering

The distribution of Sr counterions around negatively charged sodium polyacrylate chains (NaPA) in aqueous solution was studied by anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering. Different ratios of the concentrations of SrCl2/[NaPA] reveal dramatic changes in the scattering curves. At the lower ratio the scattering curves indicate a coil-like behavior, while at the higher ratio the scattering curves are contracted to smaller q-values, caused by the collapse of the NaPA coil. The form factor of the scattering contribution of the counterions was separated and analyzed. For the scattering curves of the collapsed chains, this analysis agrees with the model of a pearl necklace, consisting of collapsed sphere-like subdomains which are connected by stretched chain segments. An averaged radius of the pearls of 19 nm and a distance between neighbouring pearls close to 60 nm could be established for the collapsed state of the NaPA chains.