Structure of charged dendrimer solutions as seen by small-angle neutron scattering

We present results of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) investigations into the characteristics of charged poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer solutions in deuterium oxide. The study shows that ionic strength, surface charge density, and concentration are the crucial parameters controlling the degree of structural organization of the solution. Upon the addition of acid, HCl, we observe a peak in the scattering intensity. The results indicate that increasing ionization of terminal amines results in interparticle interactions giving rise to local, liquidlike ordering. These interactions can be screened by adding monovalent salt (NaCl) in large quantities. The short-range interactions were studied by systematically varying dendrimer and salt concentration (up to 2 M). Contrary to most weak polyelectrolyte systems, we did not observe a negative second virial coefficient, even for the highest salt concentrations.