Electric Polarization of Solutions of Rodlike Polyelectrolytes

Abstract

A statistical‐mechanical model for electrical polarizability of solutions of rodlike polyelectrolytes has been developed. The polyion is treated as a linear array of sites for adsorption of counterions. It is essentially the Rice—Harris model with an applied electric field. Calculation of the partition function of this system is performed by the matrix method and predictions are made for the effect on the low‐frequency dielectric constant of added salt, degree of polymerization, and degree of neutralization. The results are in approximate agreement with measurements of solutions of polymethacrylic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid.