ABSTRACT

The properties of polyelectrolyte complexes—i.e., materials formed through ionic interactions between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes—are essentially different from those of the starting components. This difference naturally stimulates attempts to find applications for such new materials. This chapter briefly looks at the latest advances in the basic science of polyelectrolyte complexes and examines the recent progress in the following applications: membranes, non-thrombogenic materials, drug release, and polymer complexes as drugs and drug carriers.