We apply pulsed-field-gradient NMR (PFG NMR) technique to measure the translational diffusion for both uncharged and charged polysaccharide (Ficoll70) in water. Analysis of the data indicate that NMR signal attenuation above a certain packing fraction can be adequately fitted with a bi-exponential function. The self-diffusion measurements show also that the Ficoll70, an often-used compact, spherical polysucrose molecule, is itself non-ideal, exhibiting signs of both softness and attractive interactions in the form of a stable suspension consisting of monomers and clusters. Further, we can quantify the fraction of monomer and cluster. This work strengthens the picture of the existence of a bound water layer within and around a porous Ficoll70 particle.
@article{arxiv.1707.02453,
title = {Dynamics and complex formation in charged and uncharged Ficoll70 solutions},
author = {Swomitra Palit and Anand Yethiraj},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1707.02453},
year = {2017}
}