Thermodynamics of suspensions of polymeric chains in dilute solutions

A model of suspensions of deformable polymeric chains in dilute solutions is proposed. The originality of the model lies in raising the relative motion of polymers with respect to the solvent to the status of independent variables, at the same level of such classical variables as global mass, mass fraction, temperature, and conformation tensor. Such an attitude is typical of extended irreversible thermodynamics. It is shown that the restrictions placed by the second law of thermodynamics leads to the various expressions of the constitutive and evolution equations governing the model. The use of Onsager's reciprocal relations and the criterion of frame indifference is also commented upon.