Steven Brewer
Advisor: T. Matsoukas

This study focuses on the analysis of scattered light intensity that is necessary to determine diffusivity, hydrodynamic radius, and internal relaxation time constants of dilute polymer-solvent systems. These properties are used in combination with analytical models to provide a better understanding of polymer chain motion. Simple and accurate models of chain motion are essential in industrial production and process design and may have broader application to many large, flexible molecules studied in the life sciences. In addition, simple models can be adapted to predict chain behavior under many different conditions. Systems of varying molecular weight polystyrene in cyclohexane under ideal conditions are studied. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) is a very effective method of measuring properties of polymers in dilute solutions. Correlation of scattered light intensity fluctuation can give information about overall polymer molecular movement as well as internal movement of the polymer chain. Results are presented for the polystyrene - cyclohexane systems and are compared with experimental data results. Through this work, a Rouse model derivation for the prediction of polymer chain motion is tested and an accurate and reproducible method of obtaining dynamic light scattering measurements is established. DLS can be used for future measurements on any polymer in a dilute system.