New experiments for the quantification of counterion condensation

The condensation of counterions is an important aspect of charged macromolecules. Therefore an experimental characterization of the condensation of counterions is desirable. In this contribution two experimental techniques for the characterization of counterion condensation are introduced and compared: Anomalous Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (ASAXS) is able to probe the spatial distribution of counterions and electrophoresis nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measures counterion condensation via the effective charge obtained from the dynamic behaviour of molecules and complexes in an electric field.