Abstract
A correct description of phase behaviour in polymer solutions requires a coupling between configurational statistics and thermodynamics. The effect of flow-induced chain deformation on the polymer-solvent interaction energy depends on the concentration and on the polymer architecture. It will be demonstrated, using thermodynamic arguments, that for linear polymers this may give rise to a large flow-induced demixing. For more complex architectures such as ring polymers and branched polymers, a maximum in the critical temperature vs. flow rate is predicted.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 407-412 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Europhysics Letters |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 May 1998 |
| Externally published | Yes |