ENTANGLEMENT IN POLYMER MELTS AND SOLUTIONS

Molecular theories for polymer dynamics are based on the topological constraint known as chain entanglement. Physically, this means that the random walk polymer chains cannot move through one another. However, there is no precise definition available for exactly what an entanglement is. As such, several models have been proposed to account for how entanglement spacing changes with polymer structure and concentration.

The manner in which entanglement spacing depends on concentration is important in many aspects of polymer melt dynamics. For example, effects of long-chain branching and linear polymer polydispersity depend strongly on how entanglement spacing changes when part of the system relaxes. We therefore use these systems to learn more about the nature of entanglements. Current work focuses on entangled randomly branched polymers and H-shaped model branched polymers.

PUBLICATIONS

1. R.H. Colby, L.J. Fetters and W.W. Graessley "Melt Viscosity- Molecular Weight Relationship for Linear Polymers", Macromolecules, 20, 2226 (1987).
    
2. M. Rubinstein and R.H. Colby "Self-Consistent Theory of Polydisperse Entangled Polymers: Linear Viscoelasticity of Binary Blends", J. Chem. Phys., 89, 5291 (1988).
    
3. R.H. Colby and M. Rubinstein "Two Parameter Theory for Polymers in Theta Solvents", Macromolecules, 23, 2753 (1990).
    
4. J.L Viovy, M. Rubinstein and R.H. Colby "Constraint Release In Polymer Melts: Tube Reorganization Versus Tube Dilation", Macromolecules, 24, 3587 (1991).
    
5. R.H. Colby, L.J. Fetters, W.G. Funk and W.W. Graessley "Effect of Concentration and Thermodynamic Interaction on the Viscoelastic Properties of Polymer Solutions", Macromolecules, 24, 3873 (1991).
    
6. R.H. Colby, M. Rubinstein and J.L. Viovy "Chain Entanglement in Polymer Melts and Solutions", Macromolecules, 25, 996 (1992).
    
7. R.H. Colby, M. Rubinstein and M. Daoud "Hydrodynamics of Polymer Solutions via Two-Parameter Scaling" J. Phys. II France, 4 1299 (1994).
    
8. C.P. Lusignan, T.H. Mourey, J.C. Wilson and R.H. Colby, "Viscoelasticity of Randomly Branched Polymers in the Critical Percolation Class," Phys. Rev. E, 52, 6271 (1995).
    
9. L.J. Fetters, D.J. Lohse and R.H. Colby "Chain Dimensions and Entanglement Spacings," in Physical Properties of Polymers Handbook (J.E. Mark, editor) AIP Press (1996) p. 335.
    
10. R.H. Colby "Dynamics in Blends of Long Polymers with Unentangled Short Chains" J. Phys. II France, 7, 93 (1997).
     
11. R.H. Colby "Scaling Analysis of the Temperature Dependence of Intrinsic Viscosity" J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Phys. Ed., 35, 1989 (1997).
     
12. C.P. Lusignan, T.H. Mourey, J.C. Wilson and R.H. Colby, "Viscoelasticity of Randomly Branched Polymers in the Vulcanization Class," Phys. Rev. E, 60, 5657 (1999).
     
13. J. Janzen and R.H. Colby, "Diagnosing Long Chain Branching in Polyethylene," J. Mol. Struct., 485, 569 (1999).
     
14. L. J. Fetters, D. J. Lohse and R. H. Colby, Chain Dimensions and Entanglement Spacings, in Physical Properties of Polymers Handbook (J. E. Mark, editor) Springer (2006).