Shear-induced concentration fluctuations and form factor changes in polymer solution in the good-solvent regime

Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2004 Sep;15(1):41-5. doi: 10.1140/epje/i2004-10033-1.

Abstract

Small-Angle Scattering from sheared semidilute polymer solution is reported in the good-solvent regime, at variance with former light and neutron measurements in the theta regime. First, concentration fluctuations are observed: the scattering increases noticeably along the flow at low q, but at variance with former results for the theta-solvent regime, no demixing is observed at higher shear. Here, instead, the effects follow a time-temperature superposition and saturate above a Weissenberg number around 5, like the stress which is known to present a plateau for these systems. Using the Zero Average Contrast technique, we have also measured the form factor, which displays the same saturation effect reaching a deformation ratio of the order of 2. These results agree with the Convective Constraint Release models (CCR) elaborated in order to predict the stress effects in the non-Newtonian regime (Marrucci-Ianniruberto) and their extension predicting also the scattering (Likhtman-Milner-McLeish).

MeSH terms

  • Biophysics / methods*
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Neutrons
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Solvents / chemistry

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Solvents