Hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes in dilute salt-free solutions

The universal diagram of states of hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes in dilute salt-free solutions is calculated in the framework of the scaling approach. The equilibrium conformations of these polymers were classified using two parameters geometric and energetic ratios of hydrophobic and polyelectrolyte blocks in unassociated states (the ratio of block sizes and the ratio of block energies). The hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes self-organize either into necklaces of hairy, crew-cut, or braided micelles or into wormlike cylindrical micelles depending on the values of these two parameters. The universal diagram of states is modified by the counterion condensation.