Theoretical and Experimental Studies of Structure Formation in Polymer Solutions Under Flow

A series of studies have been carried out with the goal of quantifying via molecular modeling the phenomenon of flow-induced structure formation in polymer solutions. Flow-induced stresses cause changes in the free energy of the polymer solutions and can eventually lead to phase separation. The thermodynamic behavior of random polymer coils under stress is treated as equivalent to that of a model system of semiflexible macromolecules in the absence of applied forces. Application of equilibrium conditions results in model predictions which are in good agreement with experimental observations i.e., changes in the binodal curve, increase in the amount of the separated concentrated phase and molecular weight fractionation with increase in the strength of the flow field.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Vrahopoulou, Elisavet Prodromos

• Engineering, Chemical

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8701645

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/69774