Leal, Catarina R.Godinho, M. H.Martins, A. F.Fried, F.2024-11-192024-11-191995-03-01Leal CR, Godinho MH, Martins AF, Fried F – Aging effects on the rheology of LC solutions of hydroxypropylcellulose. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology. Section A. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, 261(1), 87-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/105872595080334551058-725Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/17940We apply the recently developed continuum theory of liquid crystalline polymers1 to interpret the behavior of the shear viscosity η(γ.) and the first normal-stress difference N1(γ.) measured for liquid crystalline solutions (c = 37%, c > c*) of HPC (Aldrich, Mw = 100,000) in acetic acid (AA) with different ages: 1 day, 1 month and 2 years. η(γ.) and N1(γ.) were measured over four decades in γ. N1(γ.) is observed to change from positive to negative and again to positive, as the shear rate γ. increases. η(γ.) shows a small newtonian plateau at low shear rates and a strong shear-thinning at higher values of γ. The rate of decrease of η(γ.) in this region is not monotonous, as usual, but shows an “hesitation” similar to one previously observed in a different system2. The aging effect promotes a “depolymerization”3 of HPC. This, in turn, should have a strong influence on the behavior of Nl(γ.) and η(γ.) which is indeed observed4. All these observations can be rationalized within the framework of the theory1.engliquid crystalline polymersshear viscositynormal-stress differenceacetic acidjournal article10.1080/10587259508033455