Migration of cationic polymer between anionic polymer microspheres

In aqueous solution, the cationic polymers poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and poly-L-lysine hydrobromide are electrostatically adsorbed onto anionic polystyrene microspheres, which are used as a model of microplastics. The adsorbed polymers are able to migrate between the particles, resulting in a uniform distribution of macromolecules over all particles in the system. Interparticle migration should be taken into account when discussing the spread of toxicants associated with micron-sized vectors.