On the rotational diffusion of rod-like macromolecules in lyotropic-mesomorphic phases

Abstract

The rotational diffusion of rod-like macromolecules, idealized as monodisperse rods, in concentrated solution is considered. The Doi-Edwards model is modified to explain the experimentally observed increase of the rotational relaxation time with increasing concentration in the lyotropic-nematic phase of rigid rod-like molecules in solution. Our approach consists in (i) reconsidering the original Doi-Edwards model to eliminate unphysical behaviour of the rotational relaxation time at the limit of perfect order, and (ii) including concentration effects on the translational diffusivity of rods in the Doi-Edwards model. Predictions of the corrected model are compared with steady flow viscosity data for poly(n-alkylisocyanates). In the lyotropic-nematic phase a very good qualitative agreement between the theory and experiment is observed. Additionally, the model applied to a highly concentrated isotropic phase explains in a natural way the viscosity behaviour as the concentration is increased towards the criti...