Viscosity of polypropylene oxide solutions over the entire concentration range

An empirical equation is presented which describes polymer solution viscosity, η, over the entire concentration range from a knowledge of intrinsic viscosity, η], Huggins constant, k′, and bulk flow viscosity of polymer, η₀. The equation is: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \frac{{\eta _{sp}}}{{C\eta]}} = \exp \left\{{\frac{{{\rm k'}\eta {\rm]C}}}{{1 - bC}}} \right\} $\end{document} where solution viscosity, η, is contained in η_sp. No arbitrary parameters are invoked since b can be evaluated at bulk polymer (C = polymer density) where everything else is known. The equation accurately portrays the viscosity of polypropylene oxide (PPG 2025) from infinite dilution to bulk polymer in a very good solvent (benzene) and in a somewhat poorer (～ θ) solvent (methylcyclohexane). The hydrodynamic consequences of the thermodynamic interactions between polymer and solvent are reflected in the constants. This equation should be applicable to other polymer/solvent systems, and thus be immediately useful to those working with concentrated polymer solutions.