Thermodynamic characteristics of the interaction coefficient from plasticizer viscosity measurements for the generalized viscosity model

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to show that the generalised viscosity model can correctly characterise suspension data over both a wide range of concentration as well as a wide range of temperature. A second objective of this study was to show theoretically and experimentally how the interaction coefficient from the generalised viscosity model also appears to have some thermodynamic properties.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, many well‐known suspension equations were shown mathematically to be subsets of the generalised viscosity equation. The generalised viscosity equation was also found to be able to be reduced mathematically to two well‐known dilute solution equations (Huggins and Kramer's equations) as well. The relationship between Huggins and Kramer's constants and the interaction coefficient from the generalised viscosity equation yielded the potential to evaluate the solubility characteristics of the interaction coefficient. The value of the interaction coefficient was then found to be able to be evaluated as a function of temperature to enhance an understanding of the thermodynamic characteristics of the interaction coefficient using the data of Bueche.

Findings

In this study, a polymer plasticiser system involving polymethyl methacrylate in the plasticiser diethyl phthalate yielded an interaction coefficient, σ, primarily in the expected plasticiser range from 0< σ<1. It was also found that the generalised viscosity equation fit Bueche's polymer plasticiser data remarkably well over the whole concentration range for temperatures ranging from 30°C to 140°C. This study also appeared to show that the interaction coefficient from the generalised viscosity model can apparently characterise thermal transitions as well as thermodynamic solubility for a polymer solute (i.e. polymethyl methacrylate) when viscosity is evaluated over a wide temperature range. This result was particularly significant since Bueche's data covered 25 decades of viscosity on a log scale.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to successfully explore the thermodynamic characteristics of the interaction coefficient of the generalised viscosity equation. This opens up new avenues for evaluating the solubility and thermodynamic characteristics of various additives in solutions and polymeric formulations.

Citation

Sudduth, R. (2011), "Thermodynamic characteristics of the interaction coefficient from plasticizer viscosity measurements for the generalized viscosity model", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 40 No. 5, pp. 334-346. https://doi.org/10.1108/03699421111176234