A perturbation correction of the Flory-Huggins polymer solution theory

Abstract

A perturbation theory modification of the Flory-Huggins polymer solution theory is presented. The proposed perturbation equation utilizes the results by Tukur et al [J. Chem. Phys. 110 (7), 3463, 1999] for hard-sphere binary mixture at infinite size ratio. The resulting perturbation theory equations are used to predict properties of three different polymers with different molecular weights in different solvents. Comparison of the proposed perturbation calculations with those of the Flory-Huggins theory and the experimental data indicate that the proposed perturbation method appreciably improves prediction of polymer solution properties especially at large polymer / solvent size ratios.