We study the conformation of polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes in the presence of monovalent salt. A simple model for the formation of these structures is presented in the framework of the Debye-Hückel-Bjerrum-Manning and Flory theories, with the hydrophobic interactions between the hydrocarbon tails of surfactant molecules treated in the spirit of van der Waals theory as an effective attraction. The extension of the polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes is analyzed as a function of the salt concentration and a discrete conformational transition between a compact globule and an elongated coil is found, in agreement with experimental results for the unfolding transition of a DNA-cationic surfactant complex.

• Received 30 July 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.79.011805