Preface
Nearly one decade ago, a two volume edition “Polyelectrolytes with Defined
Molecular Architecture” edited by M. Schmidt appeared in the series Advances in
Polymer Science and summarized progress in the field at that date. Within the total
of 11 chapters, one was dedicated to polyelectrolyte complexes, which addressed
interpolyelectrolyte and polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes as well as theoretical
aspects of polyelectrolyte (PEL) complexation.
This new two-volume edition “Polyelectrolyte Complexes in the Dispersed and
Solid State: Principles and Applications” is intended to extend the content of
this former chapter by bringing together selected state-of-the-art contributions on
principles and theory (Volume I) as well as on current application aspects (Volume II)
of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC)-based particles and soft matter. In Volume I,
progress and new knowledge on theoretical aspects of electrosorption phenomena
between PEL and oppositely charged surfaces (A.G. Cherstvy and R.G.Winkler) and
of the practically always apparent aggregation and clustering tendency of PEC
particles (N.I. Lebovka) are reviewed. Recently identified important dynamic
aspects of ion conductivity (C. Cramer and M. Scho ¨nhoff) within PEC soft
matter and relaxation phenomena within PEL/protein PEC particles (S. Lindhoud
and M.A. Cohen-Stuart) as well as structural aspects of interpolyelectrolyte complexes of novel synthetic polyionic species with nonlinear topology and polymer–
inorganic hybrids (D.V. Pergushov, A.A. Zezin, A.B. Zezin, A.H.E. Mu ¨ller) are
reviewed. In Volume II, prominent recent applications of PEC particles are reviewed
together with an outline of relevant key properties concerning colloidal stability, size,
shape, compactness, surface, and biointeraction. The use and tailoring of PEC
particle-modified relevant surfaces for paper making (C. Ankerfors and L. Wagberg),
solid–liquid separation and water treatment (G. Petzold and S. Schwarz) are
addressed. The last three contributions review PEC applications in the life sciences,
including the role of PEL/protein complex assemblies in food (S. Bouhallab and
v
Nearly one decade ago, a two volume edition “Polyelectrolytes with Defined
Molecular Architecture” edited by M. Schmidt appeared in the series Advances in
Polymer Science and summarized progress in the field at that date. Within the total
of 11 chapters, one was dedicated to polyelectrolyte complexes, which addressed
interpolyelectrolyte and polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes as well as theoretical
aspects of polyelectrolyte (PEL) complexation.
This new two-volume edition “Polyelectrolyte Complexes in the Dispersed and
Solid State: Principles and Applications” is intended to extend the content of
this former chapter by bringing together selected state-of-the-art contributions on
principles and theory (Volume I) as well as on current application aspects (Volume II)
of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC)-based particles and soft matter. In Volume I,
progress and new knowledge on theoretical aspects of electrosorption phenomena
between PEL and oppositely charged surfaces (A.G. Cherstvy and R.G.Winkler) and
of the practically always apparent aggregation and clustering tendency of PEC
particles (N.I. Lebovka) are reviewed. Recently identified important dynamic
aspects of ion conductivity (C. Cramer and M. Scho ¨nhoff) within PEC soft
matter and relaxation phenomena within PEL/protein PEC particles (S. Lindhoud
and M.A. Cohen-Stuart) as well as structural aspects of interpolyelectrolyte complexes of novel synthetic polyionic species with nonlinear topology and polymer–
inorganic hybrids (D.V. Pergushov, A.A. Zezin, A.B. Zezin, A.H.E. Mu ¨ller) are
reviewed. In Volume II, prominent recent applications of PEC particles are reviewed
together with an outline of relevant key properties concerning colloidal stability, size,
shape, compactness, surface, and biointeraction. The use and tailoring of PEC
particle-modified relevant surfaces for paper making (C. Ankerfors and L. Wagberg),
solid–liquid separation and water treatment (G. Petzold and S. Schwarz) are
addressed. The last three contributions review PEC applications in the life sciences,
including the role of PEL/protein complex assemblies in food (S. Bouhallab and
v