Extensional viscosity of aqueous solutions of SDS and PVP measured on the rheometrics RFX

An opposed jets extensional rheometer, the Rheometrics RFX, was used to investigate the extensional flow properties of a series of solutions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) containing varying amounts of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS). The measurements were made in comparison with data collected for Newtonian fluids of similar viscosity to the polymeric systems of interest. The instrument was used to make measurements of the extensional viscosity as a function of extension rate, and a study of the effect of the residence time within the flow field was made. PVP has been shown to form a complex in aqueous solution with SDS. This study concentrated on the effect the addition of SDS has on the extensional rheology of semi-dilute solutions of PVP, with a molecular weight of 700 000. It was shown that increasing the amount of SDS increased the extensional thickening characteristics of solutions, as shown by a decrease in the critical extension rate for thickening. An increase in the viscosity of the solvent was shown to have an additional effect. By decreasing the distance between the opposed nozzles it was shown that a decrease in the residence time (and hence total average strain) diminished the extensional thickening character of these solutions.