Phase Equilibria

[Billmeyer-94] [Flory-541]



T(c) is the critical temperature at which phase separation occurs. This should not be confused with the Flory Temperature which considers a theoretical polymer of infinite molecule molecular weight.

Theta is the Flory Temperature.

Psi1 is defined to be the "entropy of dilution parameter." [Flory-547]

x is the number of chain segments or "mers" in the polymer molecule. This is the 'x' used in the calculation of volume fractions.

M is molecular weight

b is a constant for which I have not found a name

Polymer solubility depends on:
  1. Chemical similarity between the polymer and the solvent
  2. Polymer concentration
  3. Polymer molecular weight
  4. Temperature

    other items may be added to this list.
For a given polymer solution, there is a temperature below which the polymer will precipitate out of solution.

The Flory Temperature considers the solubility of a polymer molecule of infinite molecular weight in solution.





Flory refers to as the molecular size function.





More text here...




Last Update- September 9, 1995- wld