Primitive chain network simulations of the nonlinear rheology of polystyrene melts: Friction reduction and fluctuation-dissipation theorem

Description of the elongational rheology of concentrated polymers appears to require that in fast flows the friction coefficient decreases with respect to its equilibrium value. However, the proposed models typically maintain the validity of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT) out of equilibrium. On the other hand, FDT is routed in local equilibrium, the latter being clearly violated by the flow-induced monomer coalignment that induces friction change. A recent analysis by Watanabe et al. [Macromolecules, 54, 3700 (2021)] of unentangled polystyrene (PS) melts, based on a nonlinear extension of the Rouse model, indicates that FDT is indeed violated in fast flows. According to their analysis, the Brownian force intensity remains almost independent of the flow rate, even though the friction coefficient drastically decreases. A different violation of FDT is shown by previous nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of PS oligomers [Ianniruberto et al., Macromolecules, 45, 8058 (2012)] where the diffusion coefficient grows more than the inverse friction coefficient. In this paper, Brownian simulations using a multi-chain sliplink model (the so-called primitive chain network model) are reported for two monodisperse entangled PS melts, for which nonlinear shear and elongational data were published. Two different friction reduction models are examined, and the effect of switching FDT on and off is tested. Results demonstrate that, irrespective of FDT, both friction models can reasonably well reproduce the behavior shown by the data. This result lends support to models that retain FDT since its violation appears not to significantly affect pre-dictions of nonlinear rheology.