Concentration dependence of the low-shear viscosity of polyelectrolyte micro-networks: From hard spheres to soft microgels

Authors
Borrega, R Cloitre, M Betremieux, I Ernst, B Leibler, L
Citation
R. Borrega et al., Concentration dependence of the low-shear viscosity of polyelectrolyte micro-networks: From hard spheres to soft microgels, EUROPH LETT, 47(6), 1999, pp. 729-735
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
EUROPHYSICS LETTERS
ISSN journal
02955075 → ACNP
Volume
47
Issue
6
Year of publication
1999
Pages
729 - 735
Database
ISI
SICI code
0295-5075(199909)47:6<729:CDOTLV>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
The low-shear viscosity of polyelectrolyte microgels is studied as a functi on of concentration, crosslink density and ionic strength. The variation of the viscosity with volume fraction is very similar to that found in hard-s phere colloidal suspensions. In salt-free dispersions, osmotic effects are responsible for the de-swelling of microgels at high polymer concentration. This "softening" effect modifies the viscosity near the overlap concentrat ion.