ABSTRACT
Polyelectrolytes (PEs) are polymers composed of ionizable functional groups, and provide a number of useful properties for both basic and applied research. Proteins are biopolyelectrolytes (BPEs) and can form complexes with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes via combined influences of electrostatic interaction and entropy gain from counterion release in solution. This complex is known as protein–polyelectrolyte complex (PPC). During complex formation, protein exhibits variation of functional properties with their structural modifications depending on different physiochemical parameters. Owing to its specific structures and properties, PPC is found to be a potential material in the fields of biomaterial, biosensing, food chemistry, etc. However, basic understanding on structure–property correlation of PPC is still needed to be explored for investigating over structures, interactions, and productions of efficient materials for different applications. Therefore, the primary objective of this chapter is to ascertain the understanding of structure–property correlation of PPC material.
