Phase Transitions in Polymer Solutions and Gels

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9311764 Bansil The processes of phase separation in polymer solutions and gels are of importance both technologically and from a fundamental viewpoint. An understanding of the kinetics of these processes is crucial to either promote or prevent phase separation in the fabrication of composite materials. Small-angle light scattering and video microscopic techniques will be used to study the kinetics of phase separation processes via the mechanisms of spinodal decomposition and nucleation in polymer solutions and gels. By combining these two methods it is possible to explore phase separation kinetics from early to late stages and also to determine the time-evolution of both the structure factor and the real-space morphology. The aim of the proposed study is to determine the relationships characterizing the time evolution of the domain structure following a quench into the two phase region. ***