Two-dimensional rheo-optical measurement system to study dynamics and structure of complex fluids

We have developed a novel rheo-optical measurement system based on two-dimensional polarization analysis, which can evaluate the rheological properties and structure of a complex fluid simultaneously. To assess the utility of the system, we used it to investigate the relationship between yield behavior and structural evolution in a TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (T-CNF) suspension, which is a yield-stress fluid that has been actively studied in recent years. To analyze the structural evolution of a T-CNF suspension, stress-ramp tests were conducted. A two-step yield behavior was observed, and distributions of retardation and orientation axis varied dramatically with increasing shear stress. In particular, different distributions were observed in the three regions: after the first yield point, before the second yield point, and after the second yield point. In experiments with a low-concentration T-CNF suspension that exhibits no yield behavior, the retardation increased monotonically with increasing shear stress, and its distribution was uniform. It was demonstrated that the yield behavior and related structures can be analyzed from these results. More detailed structural mechanisms require various rheological tests using the developed system. However, the present insights demonstrate the valuable information provided by the developed rheo-optical measurement system, contributing essential knowledge for applications in various fields.