With the decrease in the particle size, for a constant volume fraction, the available surface area and the
number of particles increase, so the fraction of
adsorbed polymer increases. Also with the increase in
the number of particles, the strength of the particle net-
work increases, which can affect its viscoelastic behav-
ior. Additionally, the relaxation time and modulus
change with the particle size and concentration as are
shown in equations (9) and (6).
In Figure 3, the effect of particle size on the storage
modulus is displayed. The prediction of storage modu-
lus reduction with particle size as is expressed in equa-
tion (10), can be deduced from this figure.
The constants used in Figure 3 are given in Table 3