Collective dynamics of polyelectrolyte solutions

The diffusion of a charged macromolecule in an electrolyte solution is not a single-molecule behavior, but it is self-consistently coupled to the omnipresent counterion cloud surrounding the molecules. Basic concepts for treating this collective dynamical behavior of polyelectrolyte solutions will be presented. Specific examples will include diffusion coefficients and electrophoretic mobility of flexible polyelectrolytes, and viscosity of polyelectrolyte solutions.