Macromolecular Architecture and Complex Viscosity

ORAL

Abstract

General rigid bead-rod theory [Hassager, \textit{J Chem Phys,} \textbf{60}, 4001 (1974)] explains polymer viscoelasticity from macromolecular orientation. By means of general rigid bead-rod theory, we relate the complex viscosity of polymeric liquids to the architecture of axisymmetric macromolecules. In this work, we explore the zero-shear and complex viscosities of 24 different axisymmetric polymer configurations. When non-dimensionalized with the zero-shear viscosity, the complex viscosity depends on the dimensionless frequency and the sole dimensionless architectural parameter, the \textit{macromolecular}\textit{ lopsidedness}. In this work, in this way, we compare and contrast the elastic and viscous components of the complex viscosities of macromolecular chains that are straight, branched, ringed, or star-branched. We explore the effects of branch position along a straight chain, branched-chain backbone length, branched-chain branch-functionality, branch spacing along a straight chain (including pom-poms), the number of branches along a straight chain, ringed polymer perimeter, branch-functionality in planar stars, and branch dimensionality.

Authors

  • Alan Jeffrey Giacomin

    Queen's University

  • Mona Kanso

    Queen's University

  • Chaimongkol Saengow

    Queen's University

  • Jourdain Piette

    Queen's University