Double-stranded and single-stranded well-entangled DNA solutions under LAOS: A comprehensive study

The nonlinear rheological behaviors of concentrated double-stranded (ds) and single-stranded (ss) DNA solutions were studied under standard oscillatory and large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) deformations. To decompose the total stress into the elastic and viscous components, the raw nonlinear waveforms were analyzed using the MITlaos software package. We found that smooth and rigorous intracycle strain stiffening and shear thinning dominate the elastic and viscous decomposition, respectively, of the ds DNA sample. In contrast, the ss DNA sample exhibits initial intracycle strain stiffening, followed by a transition region and a terminal flow behavior. Insights into the nonlinear response of the DNA solutions were achieved by performing particle image velocimetry (PIV) at a wide range of imposed strain amplitudes and two angular frequencies. The rheo-PIV results of the ds DNA sample show a substantially modified flow field with distinct strain-driven shear bands at both angular frequencies examined. The bands formed by the ss DNA sample were weak even at the maximum strain amplitude. The results from this work are insightful from a traditional bulk rheological perspective, as well as for further single-molecular studies.