Polymer solution

Polymer solutions are solutions containing dissolved polymers.^[1] These may be liquid solutions (e.g. in aqueous solution), or solid solutions (e.g. a substance which has been plasticized).^[2]

The introduction into the polymer of small amounts of a solvent (plasticizer) reduces the temperature of glass transition, the yield temperature, and the viscosity of a melt. ^[3] An understanding of the thermodynamics of a polymer solution is critical to prediction of its behavior in manufacturing processes — for example, its shrinkage or expansion in injection molding processes, or whether pigments and solvents will mix evenly with a polymer in the manufacture of paints and coatings.^[4] A recent theory on the viscosity of polymer solutions gives a physical explanation for various well-known empirical relations and numerical values including the Huggins constant, but reveals also novel simple concentration and molar mass dependence.^[5]

Applications

Polymer solutions are used in producing fibers, films, glues, lacquers, paints, and other items made of polymer materials. Thin layers of polymer solution can be used to produce light-emitting devices.^[6] Guar polymer solution gels can be used in hydraulic fracturing ("fracking").^[7]

See also

• Flory–Huggins solution theory
• Colloid systems
• Gel
• Solution polymerization