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Dynamic properties of polyelectrolyte calcium membranes

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Summary

Shashoua observed spontaneous oscillations in a polyelectrolyte membrane formed by interfacial precipitates of polyacid and polybase. We have here undertaken experimental and theoretical studies of polyglutamic acid-Ca++ membrane in order to clarify the processes involved in this dynamic behavior. We find a region of distinct hysteresis in the voltage current curve for this system. A sharp transition from a state of low membrane resistance to one of high resistance occurs at a current density different from that of inverse transition.

This membrane system is modeled as a two layer structure: a negatively charged layer α made of ionized polyelectrolyte in series with a neutral region β in which the polymeric ionic sites are masked by calcium ion. This structure results in a difference in the transference number for the mobile ions, causing salt accumulation at the interfacial region during a current flow in the α to β direction. This altered salt concentration induces a change of polymeric conformation, which in turn affects the membrane permeability and the rate of accumulation. Based upon nonequilibrium thermodynamic flow equations, and a two-state representation of membrane macromolecular conformation, this model displays a region of hysteresis in the current range of experimental observations.

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Author notes

  1. Li-Yen Mae Huang

    Present address: Laboratory of Biophysics, IRP, NINCDS, National Institutes of Health, 20014, Bethesda, Maryland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, 14226, Amherst, New York

    Li-Yen Mae Huang & Robert A. Spangler

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  1. Li-Yen Mae Huang
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  2. Robert A. Spangler
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Mae Huang, LY., Spangler, R.A. Dynamic properties of polyelectrolyte calcium membranes. J. Membrain Biol. 36, 311–335 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01868157

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01868157

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