Studies of poly(styrene) solutions in an electric field: viscosity and dynamic light scattering

Abstract

A study has been made of the effect of electric-field strength on the solution viscosity of atactic poly(styrene) in tetrahydrofuran and toluene. The viscosity ratio η_E/η_O(where η_E and η_O are the viscosity of a solution in the presence and absence of an electric field) was found to depend on dc-field strength, molar mass and the nature of the solvent. The viscosity ratio passed through a maximum with increasing solution concentration and then decreased to near unity on approaching the concentrated regime. The effect of an ac field on viscosity was found to decrease with increase in frequency. Dynamic light scattering was used to study the effect of polarisation forces on molecular motion in the poly(styrene) solutions. The decay constant was found to be increased by application of an electric field. The decay-constant ratio, Γ_E/Γ_O, showed changes similar to η_E/η_O as the field strength, concentration, molar mass and frequency were varied.