Effect of chain aggregation and ionic interactions on the proton dissociation equilibria of weak polyacids

A theoretical interpretation of the dissociation behavior of weak polyacids is given. Incorporation of conformational variability in the free energy of a polyelectrolyte system extends the validity of the counterion condensation theory to cases in which cooperative transitions and/or aggregation phenomena take place. Comparison of the theoretical predictions with experimental data on ionic polysaccharides, either natural or derivatives, is presented.