Determination of intrinsic viscosity of linear polymers in concentrated solution

Abstract Intrinsic viscosity, calculated in accordance with the empirical relation established by Schulz and Huggins, deviates considerably from its true value in the case of increasing viscosities. The introduction of a simple corrective, second degree term η /150, applicable to most of the polymers, permits the direct computation of intrinsic viscosity based upon polymer solutions of various concentrations. Specific viscosities may vary to a great extent and reach a value as high as 15; the use of high concentrations permits the reduction of experimental errors and the determination, to within an average of one per cent, of the intrinsic viscosity of the polymer sample, and thus of its molecular weight.