Temperature-dependent rheological behavior of Pluronic F-127 aqueous solutions

Abstract A Theological study of Pluronic F-127 aqueous solutions of 15–30% concentrations was undertaken at temperatures ranging from 15 ° C to 35 ° C. An exponential relationship was found between viscosity and temperature, with curve slopes depending upon Pluronic concentration. A theory is proposed to explain that phenomenon. It is based on the previously reported observation that pluronic micelles in water solution undergo a thermally induced swelling together with a desolvatation. The proposed hypothesis is, therefore, based on the creation of a cross-linked network. DSC and X-ray diffraction studies show this network consists of weak interactions (probably hydrogen bonds) accounting for the reversibility of the thermoviscosimetric behavior, and generates no preferential 3-dimensional arrangement.