A special instrument for the defined modification of polymer properties in solutions and polymer layers

A special apparatus allowing for the targeted modification of the physicochemical characteristics of dispersive systems via a self-organised liquid flow (Bénard-Marangoni or Railegh-Bénard instability) was constructed. The apparatus was tested by means of heat transfer rate and temperature distribution uniformity over a newly-designed composite heating plate. New types of a solidification cell and a condenser were developed for polymer solution solidification in temperature gradients, at low pressure or in a defined atmosphere. Two polysaccharide systems were used to demonstrate the abilities of the apparatus. The results demonstrate how significant an effect the self-organised liquid flow can have on the arrangement of macromolecular systems in solutions, at phase boundaries or in solidified polymer foils. © 2016 Elsevier LtdERDF, European Regional Development FundOperational Program Research and Development for Innovations; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); national budget of the Czech Republic, within the framework of the project, Centre of Polymer Systems [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0111]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic - Program NPU I [LO1504]; TBU [IGA/FT/2015/014]; IGA/FT/2016/01