Renormalization group theory of transport properties of polymer solutions. I. Dilute solutions

The (Gell–Mann–Low type) renormalization group theory is applied to frictional properties of dilute polymer solutions for the first time. The universal ratios such as Flory’s intrinsic viscosity constant, the Flory–Scheraga–Mandelkern parameter, etc., are estimated from the first order ε-expansion theory (ε=4−d, d being the spatial dimensionality). The results are in satisfactory agreement with experimental results in both the nondraining Gaussian and nondraining self-avoiding limits. Preaveraging the Oseen tensor makes the value of the intrinsic viscosity about 10% larger according to the first order ε-expansion calculation.