Rheological measurements dilute polymer solutions

Dilute Solution Properties. The rheology of dilute polymer solutions has been used extensively to gain insight into the structure and conformation of polymers in solution (11). The intrinsic viscosity provides a measure of the molecular weight of a polymer through a relationship such as the Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation. Earlier studies of polyacrylamide (PAM) systems and details of the complexity of the characterization of high-molecular-weight water-soluble systems can be found in references 9, 13, and 14. 

After a preliminary analysis of the influence of the production mode on xanthan characteristics, this study was focussed on the effects of the origin and concentration of proteins on the state of aggregation of xanthan in solution estimated by rheological measurements. In a first while, purification treatments were applied to dilute polymer solutions in order to try to separate proteins from xanthan and thus to evaluate the amount and effect of proteins linked to the polysaccharide backbone. In the second phase of this study, the direct addition of proteins to dilute or concentrated xanthan solutions was analyzed, and the effects of salt, pH and origin of proteins were investigated. 

Concentrated dispersions may be shear thickening, as opposed to the shear thinning of dilute polymer solutions. Some materials, such as latex paints, tend to form a structure. As the structure breaks down with shearing action, the viscosity decreases. Such materials are thixotropic. Some fluids have a yield stress. A thorough characterization of the rheology may require a number of different measurements. 

Rheological measurements were performed on xanthan solutions prepared by dilution of broths, 48(X) CX, A, C or powder Rhodopol 23, adjusted at similar polymer concentrations (between 5 and 7 g.l ). The effects of the addition of a protein-rich solution and of other parameters such as salinity and pH were further investigated. 

To fully assess the properties of suspension concentrates, three main types of measurements are required. Firstly some information is needed on the structure of the solid/solution interface at a molecular level. This requires investigation of the double layer properties (for systems stabilised by ionic surfactants and polyelectrolytes), adsorption of the surfactant or polymer as well as the extension of the layer from the interface (adsorbed layer thickness). Secondly, one needs to obtain information on the state of dispersion on standing, such as its flocculation and crystal growth. This requires measurement of the particle size distribution as a function of time and microscopic investigation of flocculation. The spontaneity of dispersion on dilution, i.e. reversibility of flocculation needs also to be assessed. Finally, information on the bulk properties of the suspension on standing is required, which can be obtained using rheological measurements. The methods that may be applied for suspension concentrates are described briefly below. 

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