New applications of an old theory - The Rouse theory - in polymer dynamics and viscoelasticity

Abstract

As recently shown by a close agreement between the calculated and measured viscoelastic spectra of a binary blend solution over a wide frequency range, the quantitative validity of the Rouse theory is discussed, pointing out why the traditional way of testing by a single parameter - the viscosity - is misleading. A "bird's-eye" view of the Rouse theory in relation to various aspects of polymer dynamics and viscoelasticity is shown. This represents a fresh way of looking at some of interrelations between fundamental problems in chain dynamics. This paper illustrates the application potential of the Rouse theory by reviewing the research schemes that make use of the well-tested theory to elucidate two fundamental problems : (1) onset of entanglement and (2) the motions associated with a single Rouse segment. It is shown that through careful designs of research, analyses in terms of the Rouse theory can provide vitally important and informing results.