| Abstract: | Motion of chains of poly(ethylene oxide) within the interlayer spacing of 2:1 phyllosilicate/montmorillonite was studied with 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Measurements of the 1H NMR line widths and relaxation times across a large temperature range were used to determine the effect of bulk thermal transitions on polymer chain motion within the nanocomposites. The results were consistent with previous reports of low apparent activation energies of motion. Details of the frequency and geometry of motion were obtained from a comparison of the 13C cross‐polarity/magic‐angle spinning spectra and relaxation times of the nanocomposite with those of the pure polymer. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 1678–1685, 2001 |
