Rheological Modeling of Dispersion System of Nano/Microsized Polymer Particles Considering Swelling Behavior

Rheological behavior of dispersion system containing nano/microsized cross-linked polymer particle was studied considering particle hydration and swelling. Viscosity of the dispersion system depends on swelling kinetics of polymer particles. Under shear flow, dispersion of swollen polymer particles is shear thinning. According to experimental results, kinetics of particle swelling and hydration was described well by second-order kinetic equation. Relational expression between equilibrium particle size and influencing factors of swelling such as salt concentration and temperature was presented. Assume that swollen polymer particles are uniform and have a simple core-shell structure, interacting through a repulsive steric potential. The rheological modeling of such dispersion system at low shear rate was presented using the concept of effective volume fraction, which depends on swelling kinetics and interparticle potential. Cross model was introduced to describe shear-thinning behavior. The viscosity equation allows correlation of experimental data of relative viscosity versus shear rate or hydration time; accounting for effect of temperature and salt concentration on viscosity. Predictions of the model have a good agreement with experimental results.