Phase separation in a polymer solution induced by steady and large amplitude oscillatory shear flow

Neutron- and light-scattering measurements reveal that large-amplitude oscillatory shear flow can drive entangled polymer solutions to a completely microphase-separated state with sharp interfacial boundaries while steady shear flow does not. For steady shear flow, interfacial boundaries remain less well-defined for all shear rates measured, indicating less complete phase separation. Results are discussed within the context of recent theoretical models.