Solvent influence on the viscosity-temperature relationship for dilute polybutadiene solutions

The temperature dependence of the viscosity of dilute polybutadiene solutions has been described by an Arrhenius expression according to Moore's treatment. The activation energy of flow was found to depend on both concentration and molecular weight through an empirical parameter, K_e. This parameter was positive in toluene, zero in decalin and negative in dioxane. This behaviour is discussed in connection with the temperature dependence of the expansion coefficient (x_η) and the excluded volume parameter (z). A recent Yamakawa-Tanaka expression relating x_η and z was used in the theoretical calculation of K_e.