STRUCTURAL AND DYNAMICAL PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS SUSPENSIONS OF NAPSS (HPSS) AT VERY-LOW IONIC-STRENGTH

Results on the structural and dynamical properties of aqueous solution s of NaPSS (HPSS) are reported. Most samples of previous measurements, including our own, are contaminated by the presence of (temporal) agg regates. The emphasis of this paper lies on investigations of well pur ified samples at very low ionic strength where interacting effects are maximum. As previously reported, this can be achieved by pumping the suspension through ion exchange resin by means of a tube-pump, using f ilters of 0.1 mu m pore size. Information has been extracted from stat ic and dynamic light scattering and viscosity measurements. A second m aximum is observed in the scattering curl es versus wavenumber for the first time. It is discussed on the basis of two current models descri bing the structure of charged macromolecules. The short time dynamics reflects the measured intensity. Detailed viscosity data in comparison of those of rodlike (TMV), slightly flexible so-called fd virus parti cles (length 880 nm) are used to confirm the interpretation of the lig ht scattering results. The recently observed maximum in the reduced vi scosity could be confirmed.