Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Molecular Entanglement and Electrospinnability of Biopolymers
Published on: September 3, 2014
Nonequilibrium polymer rheology in spin-cast films
David R Barbero1, Ullrich Steiner
1Department of Physics, Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
A new experimental approach is introduced to probe the rheology of >or=100 nm-thick liquid polymer films. As-cast films were found to have a substantially reduced effective viscosity compared to annealed films. The reduced viscosity is explained in terms of nonequilibrium chain conformations giving rise to a reduced entanglement density caused by the rapid quenching of the film during spin coating. Unexpectedly long annealing times at high temperatures are required for the films to recover their bulk rheology.
Related Concept Videos
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
Polymer Classification: Architecture
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
Determination of Molar Masses of Polymers II

