The Huggins Equation is an empirical equation used to relate the reduced viscosity of a dilute polymer solution to the concentration of the polymer in solution. It is named after Maurice L. Huggins. The Huggins equation states:
formula_1
Where formula_2 is the specific viscosity of a solution at a given concentration of a polymer in solution, formula_3 is the intrinsic viscosity of the solution, formula_4 is the Huggins coefficient, and formula_5 is the concentration of the polymer in solution. In isolation, formula_6 is the specific viscosity of a solution at a given concentration.
The Huggins equation is valid when formula_7 is much smaller than 1, indicating that it is a dilute solution. The Huggins coefficient used in this equation is an indicator of the strength of a solvent. The coefficient typically ranges from about formula_8 (for strong solvents) to formula_9 (for poor solvents).
The Huggins equation is a useful tool because it can be used to determine the intrinsic viscosity, formula_3, from experimental data by plotting formula_11versus the concentration of the solution, formula_5.
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