Investigation of polyelectrolyte adsorption by means of a novel concept based upon the use of model surfaces and model polyelectrolytes

Abstract A concept to study the influence of molecular parameters in the adsorption of polyelectrolytes is presented. Characteristic for this approach is the use of model surfaces and model polyelectrolytes. The properties of both the surfaces and polyelectrolytes can be varied in a well defined way and over a broad range. First experiments show that the method is able to give structural information about the adsorbed polyelectrolytes. The method is very sensitive, adsorption experiments with polyelectrolyte concentrations in the region of micromoles per litre are possible.