A New Class of Complex Water-soluble Polyelectrolytes

The literature data on polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC), mainly non-stoichiometric PEC (N-PEC), are analysed. Interpolyelectrolyte reactions, leading to the formation of N-PEC as well as the methods of synthesis of these macromolecular compounds are examined. The structure of water-soluble N-PEC, which constitute a new class of complex water-soluble polymers, is discussed. A special section is devoted to the behaviour of N-PEC in aqueous salt media and to the description of the characteristics of the phase separation in such systems. The prospects for the development of the research into and the possible applications of this new class of polyelectrolytes are discussed.
The bibliography includes 64 references.