Direct measurement of attractive forces in an asymmetric polyelectrolyte system

In this article are presented results from direct measurements of interactions between one polyelectrolyte covered mica surface and one bare mica surface, There is a strong and long ranged attraction between the bare mica surface and the mica surface neutralized by adsorbed polyelectrolyte. The attraction is stronger and more long ranged in this asymmetric system than in a corresponding symmetric system. This attraction is of the same magnitude in strength in both 0.1 mM KBr and 10 mM KBr solution, The results support the findings from Monte Carlo simulations and mean field calculations presented by Sjostrom and Akesson. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.