A series of well-defined hydrophilic and hydrophobic polyelectrolytes of various chain lengths $N$ and effective charge fractions $f_{ eff}$ have been adsorbed onto oppositely charged solid surfaces immersed in aqueous solutions. \emph{ In situ} high energy X-ray reflectivity has provided the thickness $h$, the electron density and the roughness of the adsorbed layer in its aqueous environment. In the case of hydrophobic polyelectrolytes, we have found $h\propto N^0 f_{ eff}^{ -2/3}$, in agreement with a pearl-necklace conformation for the chains induced by a Rayleigh-like instability.
Categories: cond-mat.soft