Adsorption of cationic polyelectrolyte onto a model carboxylic latex and the influence of adsorbed polycation on the charge regulation at the latex surface

 Adsorption of a well-characterized cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) onto the surface of a model colloid (monodisperse polystyrene latex with carboxylic functional groups) was studied over a wide range of pH (4–9) and KCl concentration (c _s =10^-3–0.3 M). The surface charge density of the latex particles with and without adsorbed CPAM was also measured over the same range of electrolyte compositions. The adsorbed amount of CPAM increases with increase in c _s and pH. The polyelectrolyte adsorption alters substantially the surface charge density of the latex particles as compared to the polymer-free case. A large overcompensation of the surface charge by the adsorbed polyelectrolyte is established at high c _s and low pH. A qualitative explanation of the observed features is put forward. Received: 3 December 1996 Accepted: 20 January 1997