Issue 28, 2023

Ion-induced changes in DNA gels

Abstract

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements are reported for DNA gels under near physiological conditions in which the concentration of monovalent and divalent counter-ions and the pH are varied. The scattering intensity I(q) is described by a two-term equation, one due to osmotic concentration fluctuations and the other coming from static inhomogeneities frozen in by the cross-links. SANS in the low q range indicates the presence of large clusters and the size of which exceeds the resolution of the experiment. In the intermediate q-range, the intensity increases with the CaCl2 concentration and the slope approaches −1, corresponding to linear (rod-like) scatterers. In the highest q region, the scattering response is governed by the local chain geometry. Screening of electrostatic interactions by sodium chloride causes a moderate increase in the SANS intensity that is accompanied by an increase in the mesh size L of the network. Addition of calcium chloride, or a decrease in pH, produces similar trends, and ultimately leads to phase separation. The scattering intensity at q = 0, estimated from independent measurements of the osmotic pressure Π, is in excellent agreement with I(0) from the SANS measurements. Anomalous small angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS) measurements on the uncross-linked DNA show that the monovalent ion cloud is only weakly influenced by the addition of divalent ions. Conversely, the divalent counter-ion cloud tightly follows the contour of polymer chains.

Graphical abstract: Ion-induced changes in DNA gels

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 May 2023
Accepted
25 Jun 2023
First published
10 Jul 2023

Soft Matter, 2023,19, 5405-5415

Ion-induced changes in DNA gels

F. Horkay, P. J. Basser and E. Geissler, Soft Matter, 2023, 19, 5405 DOI: 10.1039/D3SM00666B

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