Calculation of the rate constant for the ultrasonic degradation of aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol by viscometry

Ultrasonic degradation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was carried out in aqueous solution at 25 °C. In this experiment, the effect of solution concentration on the rate of degradation was investigated. Kinetics of degradation was studied by viscometry method. The calculated rate constants indicate that degradation rate of PVA solutions decreases with increasing of solution concentration (C=g lit−1). The calculated rate constants correlated in terms of reverse concentration and relative viscosity of PVA solutions. This behavior in the rate of degradation was interpreted in terms of viscosity and concentration of polymer solution. With increasing solution concentration, viscosity increases and it causes a reduction in the cavitation efficiency thus, the rate of degradation will be decreased.