Chemical structure and physical properties in polyester based segmented polyurethanes—I: Dynamic mechanical properties

Nine polyester based segmented polyurethanes and one polyurea have been synthesised, wet spun into fibres and cast into films. Both forms have been found to have melting points and densities strongly dependent on soft segment (polyester) concentration, the films having higher values in each case. Electron microscope studies have revealed the presence of crystallinity within the hard domains. Dynamic mechanical measurements showed several transitions: an α transition above 200° complete in several film samples but incomplete in fibre, an α' transition between 47 and 80° and a β transition in the region of ?20°. The α transitions occurred in the film but not in fibre, the α' transition in the fibre but not the film and the β transition in both. The significances of the transitions are discussed in terms of physical and chemical structure.     

A new transition point of polyacrylonitrile

A polyacrylonitrile sample of molecular weight 78,000 was dissolved into a 15% solution in 70% aqueous HNO₃, spun into an undrawn model filament with diameter 0.3 mm. using a 30% aqueous HNO₃ as the coagulation bath. The fresh filament was drawn 4–16× in water at various temperatures (40, 65, and 75°C.) and then steamed at 90–180°C. Dynamic mechanical tests were carried out on these filaments at 138 cps and it was found that the steamed filaments had a new transition at about 160°C. in addition to the two well-known transitions at 60–70°C. (β) and 110°C. (α_a), although the unsteamed samples had only the two absorptions, α_a and β. This newly found transition was designated α_x. The α_x was measured at 3.5, 11, and 110 cps from which the activation energy of this relaxational motion was estimated to be 95 kcal./mole. The α_x peak height was lowered by stretching and recovered on resteaming; the change in the peak height was paralleled by the changes in the x-ray crystallinity produced by the stretching and the resteaming. These phenomena lead us to a conclusion that the region contributing to the α_x absorption is of considerably higher order than that of the α_a transition with an activation energy about 50 kcal./mole and intimately related to the crystallinity, although it cannot be connected directly to the crystalline region itself because a single crystal mat did not show the α_x.     

Polysiloxane dizwitterionomers. IV. Mechanical and dielectric relaxations

The relaxation behavior of a series of polysiloxane dizwitterionomers has been studied by using dynamic mechanical and dielectric spectroscopy. The temperature range was 100–375 K and the frequency was ca. 1 Hz in the mechanical measurements and 50 Hz–50 kHz in the dielectric measurements. Three relaxation regions, labeled α_s, β, α_z in order of increasing temperature, were observed. The β_s relaxation was assigned to the nonionic portion of the siloxane chain and correlated with the glass transition of polydimethylsiloxane. The β and α_z processes are ionic-related relaxations; β probably originated from the motion of a chain segment carrying a dizwitterion, and α_z, from the collapse of the organization in the ionic domains. Absorbed water exerts a profound influence on relaxation behavior–primarily on α_z ionic relaxation and the relative rigidity of the samples. The water molecules solvate the ions and thus shift the α_z relaxation to lower temperatures. Some aspects of the effect of thermal history on the microphase separation into domains have also been investigated. The results indicate that the organization of the zwitterions in the ionic domains is improved at slow cooling rates.     

The crystalline character of atactic poly(p-biphenyl acrylate) and poly(p-cyclohexylphenyl acrylate) in their dynamic mechanical response

Dynamic mechanical properties have been determined in atactic poly(p-biphenyl acrylate) (PPBA) and poly(p-cyclohexylphenyl acrylate) (PPCPA) in the temperature range from 80 to 540°K at frequencies in the range 10³–10⁴ Hz. The general behavior of the dynamic elastic modulus as a function of temperature shows a transition region from the glassy state at about 390°K for both polymers, a plastic region extending over a temperature interval of about 100°K, and another transition to the melt situated at 540 and 480°K for PPBA and PPCPA, respectively. The experimental data show that the mechanical behavior of both polymers strongly resembles that of crystalline polymers. The loss spectrum of PPBA shows the presence of several important maxima: one corresponding to the melting point, characterized by a very rapid increase of losses with increasing temperature (α′ relaxation), one in the glass-temperature range, characterized by a rather broad peak (α′ relaxation), and others below T_g, associated with secondary relaxation effects. The analysis of the different transitions and relaxations indicates that some of these processes can be ascribed to motions taking place in the ordered regions of the polymer. PPCPA shows a similar loss pattern; however, owing to the lower melting point the α maximum is partially submerged in the α′ relaxation associated with the melting process. Of particular interest is the γ process in the glassy state of this polymer, caused by the chair–chair transition of the cyclohexyl rings. The limited intensity of this relaxation as compared with that of most polymers containing cyclohexyl side groups, has been interpreted as due to the high ΔF associated with such a transition for cyclohexyl rings linked to phenylene groups. This leads to some interesting conclusions about the conformation of the side groups in PPCPA.     

Electrical conductivity and phase transitions of the solid electrolyte system (Cs1−yRby)Cu4Cl3(I2−xClx)

Results of electrical conductivity measurements, thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction studies indicate the existence of four phases, between 295 K and the melting points, in the system (Cs_1?yRb_y)Cu₄Cl₃I₂. These phases are designated α, á β, γ in order of decreasing temperature. The α phase is isostructural with α-RbAg₄I₅; the á phase is also cubic and very likely belongs to space groupP2₁3, a subgroup ofP4₁32 andP4₃32 to which the α phase belongs. There is a high probability that the á → α transition is continuous. The á → α transition is not discernible in the conductivity measurements or thermal analysis; therefore the line of á-α transitions is presently unknown. The β phase transforms to the á and the γ phase transforms to the β phase wheny ≤ 0.36; the γ phase transforms to the α phase wheny ≥ 0.36. That is, there is a triple point aty = 0.36, T = 399K. The γ-β, β-α′, and γ-α transitions are all hysteretic and are therefore first order. The conductivities of the β phases are relatively low and the enthalpies of activation relatively high. The conductivity of the β phase decreases with increasingy. The β phase probably belongs to space groupR3, in which the Cu⁺ ions can be ordered. The α and á phases are the true solid electrolytes; the conductivities are high, >0.73 Ω^?1cm^?1 at 419 K, and the enthalpies of activation of motion of the Cu⁺ ions low, 0.11 eV.In the system CsCu₄Cl₃(I_2?xCl_x), 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25, the Cl^? for I^? substitutions affect the transitions to only a small extent relative to the stoichiometric compound. The β phase occurs for allx and transforms to á.     

Synergism and multiple mechanical relaxations observed in ternary systems based on benzoxazine,epoxy, and phenolic resins

The synergism in the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of ternary systems based on benzoxazine (B), epoxy (E), and phenolic (P) resins is reported. The systems show the maximum T_g up to about 180 °C in BEP541 (B/E/P = 5/4/1). Adding a small fraction of phenolic resin enhances the crosslink density and, therefore, the T_g in the copolymers of benzoxazine and epoxy resins. To obtain the ultimate T_g in the ternary systems, 6–10 wt % phenolic resin is needed. The molecular rigidity from benzoxazine and the improved crosslink density from epoxy contribute to the synergistic behavior. The mechanical relaxation spectra of the fully cured ternary systems in a temperature range of −140 to 350 °C show four types of relaxation transitions: γ transition at −80 to −60 °C, β transition at 60–80 °C, α₁ transition at 135–190 °C, and α₂ transition at 290–300 °C. The partially cured specimens show an additional loss peak that is frequency‐independent as a result of the further curing process of the materials. The ternary systems have a potential use as electronic packaging molding compounds as well as other highly filled systems. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1687–1698, 2000     

Studies on molecular motion of polysaccharides in the solid state by broad-line nuclear magnetic resonance

Broad-line NMR measurements have been carried out on solid amylose, pullulan, and dextran in order to shed light upon the relations between different modes of linkage of glucose residues and physical properties. Rotation of the methylol group attached to the C₅ atom around the C₅? C₆ linkage and the libration of glucose residues around the α-1,6 linkage are suggested as the origins of the observed decrease of the second moment with increasing temperature.     

Multiple Transitions in Polyvinyl Alkyl Ethers at Low Temperatures

Abstract

A series of polyvinyl alkyl ethers, with the ether side chain ranging in length from methyl to n-decyl, has been studied from ～60°K to above the glass transition. A linear variable differential transformer was used to measure the linear expansion coefficient, α, complemented by mechanical loss measurements with a freely oscillating torsion pendulum and dielectric loss measurements. In addition to the glass transition, two low-temperature transitions have been observed in these systems. The first below T_g, T_gg(1), follows the same trend as the glass transition, i.e., as the side chain length increases the temperature at which the transition occurs decreases, until n-octyl, where side chain crystallization is manifested. The second transition below T_g, T_gg(2), occurs at ～100°K irrespective of side chain length. Because of their analagous dependence on side chain length, T_gg(1) is thought to be similar to the glass transition, i.e., due to main chain motion. Δα' at T_gg(2) is of greater magnitude than Δα' at T_gg(1) and is thought to be a result of reorientation of the side chain.     

Radiothermoluminescence. II. Radiothermoluminescence of polyethylene with different chain conformations

Molecular relaxation processes in the 77–260°K interval and the structure of polyethylene melt-crystallized under normal and high pressures have been studied. The positions of relaxation transitions and activation energy for molecular relaxation were determined by radiothermoluminescence. The most intense maximum in the glow curve of the sample crystallized under normal pressure is observed in the 200–240°K interval, i.e., in the range of the β transition. In this temperature interval the β relaxation activation energy changes from 15 to 25 kcal/mole. An increase of the pressure under which crystallization takes place results in a substantial decrease of the intensity of the β maximum. This indicates that the β transition of polyethylene is most probably due to the mobility of segments on the chain-folded lamellar surface. For samples melt-crystallized under pressure between 5000 and 7000 atm, relaxation transitions were found at 150 and 190°K. Various processes of molecular relaxation appear to be associated with the maxima observed on the polyethylene glow curve.     

Molecular relaxation in the blends of polystyrene/poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) at low temperature

Molecular relaxation behavior in terms of the α, β, and γ transitions of miscible PS/PPO blends has been studied by means of DMTA and preliminary work has been carried out using DSC. From DSC and DMTA (by tan δ), the observed α relaxation (T_α or T_g) of PS, PPO, and the blends, which are intermediate between the constituents, are in good agreement with earlier reports by others. In addition, the β transition (T_β) of PS at 0.03 Hz and 1 Hz is observed at −30 and 20°C, respectively, while the γ relaxation (T_γ) is not observed at either frequency. The T_β of PPO is 30°C at 0.03 Hz and is not observed at 1 Hz, while the T_γ is −85°C at 0.03 Hz and −70°C at 1 Hz. On the other hand, blend composition-independent β or γ relaxation observed in the blends may be a consequence of the absence of intra- or intermolecular interaction between the constituents at low temperature. Thus it is suggested that at low temperature, the β relaxation of PS be influenced solely by the local motion of the phenylene ring, and that the β or γ relaxation of PPO be predominated by the local cooperative motions of several monomer units or the rotational motion of the methyl group in PPO. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1981–1986, 1998     

Polymorphism in copper pyrovanadate

Formation and stability temperatures were determined for the three polymorphs of copper pyrovanadate. The low-temperature β phase is formed at 500°C and is stable from room temperature to 610°C. The intermediate phase is stable within 610–705°C. The high-temperature γ phase is stable within 710–780°C. The rates of γ → α and α → β phase transitions upon cooling differ considerably. α-Cu₂V₂O₇ detected at room temperature upon cooling of a molten sample is metastable.     

Mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resins in relation to their chemical structure. I. Secondary relaxations and local motions

Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy has been combined with high-resolution solid-state ¹³C NMR to characterize the molecular motions responsible for the γ and β secondary relaxations in unsaturated polyester networks. In DEG networks the 7γ transition is assigned to restricted phenyl group rotation in the styrene cross-links whereas the motion of molecular groups in the vicinity of the residual maleic double bonds account for the β transition. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Phosphorescence studies of relaxation effects in bulk polymers. II. Emission depolarization study of relaxation mechanisms in poly(methyl methacrylate)

Phosphorescence depolarization measurements, under steady state polarized excitation, have been used to examine the relaxation behavior of bulk poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Poly(methyl methacrylate) bearing phosphorescent labels has been synthesized by copolymerization of small quantities of acenaphthylene (I), 1-vinylnaphthalene (II), 2-vinylnaphthalene (III), 1-naphthyl methacrylate (IV), and 2-naphthyl methacrylate (V), respectively, with methyl methacrylate. In no case was depolarization of emission due to probe rotation apparent below the onset of the β-relaxation of the polymer. Rotation of label V was characterized by an activation energy of 94 kJ mole^?1 in excellent agreement with that of the β relaxation measured by conventional relaxation techniques. This result clearly implicates ester motion in the β relaxation. No motion of label I, which cannot move independently of the polymer backbone, was evident in the vicinity of the β relaxation. Above 378 K the activation energy for rotational relaxation of label I of 460 kJ mole^?1 is in excellent agreement with published data for the α transition in PMMA. This result is in accord with the general assumption that backbone segmental motion is involved in the α relaxation. However, backbone motion of lesser temperature dependence (E_a = 115 kJ mole^?1) is apparent from depolarization behavior of probe I between 343 and 378 K. Label II shows three regions of relaxation behavior. In the temperature range above the β transition motion of the label independent of the polymer is evident (E_a = 44 kJ mole^?1). At temperatures in excess of 343 K this motion becomes cooperative with that of the backbone yielding activation energies comparable to those obtained in system I. Label III, while exhibiting depolarization characteristics similar to those of label II in the vicinity of the β relaxation, emitted insufficient intensity to permit estimation of an energy of activation for the motion. The phosphorescence of label IV was completely depolarized over the entire temperature range studied. While phosphorescence intensity and lifetime data may be used to detect the existence of polymeric transitions, the photophysical behavior of the naphthalene species studied is independent of the attachment to the polymer and does not primarily yield information regarding the polymer relaxations.     

Structure Determination of a Low Temperature Phase of Calcium and Strontium Amide by means of Neutron Powder Diffraction on Ca(ND2)2 and Sr(ND2)2

Calcium and Strontium amide are ionic compounds crystallising in a tetragonally distorted anatase structure-type at ambient temperatures. The amide ions (NH₂^–/ND₂^–) resemble water molecules in structure and in charge distribution. By means of temperature dependent neutron diffraction investigations weak super-structure reflections were observed at temperatures below 90 K (Ca(ND₂)₂) and 60 K (Sr(ND₂)₂), respectively, indicating the existence of a so far unknown low-temperature (LT) phase. Using high resolution neutron powder diffraction at temperatures below 10 K the structure was determined for both compounds. The LT-phases are isotypic and crystallise monoclinic in the space group P2₁/c with four formula units within the unit cell: Ca(ND₂)₂ at 10 K a = 7.257(2) Å, b = 7.2434(2) Å, c = 6.300(1) Å, β = 124.73(1)° Sr(ND₂)₂ at 5 K a = 7.6950(1) Å, b = 7.68374(9) Å, c = 6.6324(3) Å, β = 124.917(2)°. Their structure is closely related to the tetragonal HT-phase, but an ordering of the amide ions occurs due to freezing of a lattice mode which is dominated by the librational motion of the amide ions in the {1 0 0} planes of the HT-phase.     

Lateral thermal expansion of chitin crystals

Measurements of the thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) of chitin crystals in the lateral direction are reported. We investigated highly crystalline α chitin from the Paralithodes tendon and an anhydrous form of β chitin from a Lamellibrachia tube from room temperature to 250 °C, using X‐ray diffraction at selected temperatures in the heating process. For α chitin, the TECs of the a and b axes were α_a = 6.0 × 10⁻⁵ °C⁻¹ and α_b = 5.7 × 10⁻⁵ °C⁻¹, indicating an isotropic thermal expansion in the lateral direction. However, the anhydrous β chitin exhibited an anisotropic thermal expansion in the lateral direction. The TEC of the a axis was constant at α_a = 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ °C⁻¹, but the TEC of the b axis increased linearly from room temperature to 250 °C, with α_b = 3.0–14.6 × 10⁻⁵ °C⁻¹. These differences in the lateral thermal expansion behaviors of the α chitin and the anhydrous β chitin are due to their different intermolecular hydrogen bonding systems. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 168–174, 2001     

Comparative study of dielectric,mechanical, and nuclear magnetic relaxations of linear polyethylene. I. Broad-line NMR investigation of the fine structure of the α and γ loss bands observed by dielectric and mechanical measurements

Detailed investigation of the linewidth, second moment, and mobile fraction by straightline decomposition of NMR spectra of linear polyethylene from ca. ?160 to ca. 100°C reveals five molecular processes denoted γ₁, γ₂, β, α′, and α. Relaxation maps show that the γ₁, γ₂, and β processes correspond to the dielectric and mechanical relaxations given the same names, while the α and α′ processes correspond respectively to the mechanical α₂ process due to molecular motion in the interior of crystals and to the dielectric α process. Close relations are found between the mass fractions of protons for the γ₁ and β processes and also between those for the γ₂ and α′ processes. From the effects of diluent on these processes and the annealing-time dependence of mass fractions of protons, the γ₁, and β processes are attributed to two modes of molecular motion in an interlamellar amorphous region, while the γ₂ and α′ processes are attributed to motions in the lamellar surface layers. The surface-layer thickness obtained by applying the two-phase model for the data on mobile fraction agrees quite well with that reported in the literature. The Bergmann–Nawotki three-component analysis of NMR spectra and symmetric-line decomposition for determining mobile fraction are shown to be unsuitable for studying the fine structure of the α and γ loss bands.     

Molecular motion and relaxation studies of aliphatic polyureas by thermal windowing thermally stimulated depolarization current technique

Molecular motion and relaxation studies using a thermal windowing thermally stimulated depolarization current (TW‐TSDC) were performed for aliphatic polyureas 7 and 9. Global thermally stimulated depolarization current gave three characteristic major peaks corresponding to the α, β, and γ relaxation modes at 78.5, −44, and −136°C for polyurea 7 and at 80, −50, and −134°C for polyurea 9, respectively. The α relaxation is related to the large‐scale molecular motion due to micro‐Brownian motion of long‐range segments. This relaxation is significantly related to the glass‐transition temperature. The β relaxation is caused by the local thermal motion of long‐chain segments. The γ relaxation is caused by the limited local motion of hydrocarbon sections. Temperature dependence of relaxation times was expressed well using Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher (VTF) expression. 3‐D simulation of dielectric constants of dielectric strength and loss factor were performed in the frequency range from 10⁻⁶ to 10⁴ Hz and temperature range from −150 to 250°C, using the relaxation parameters obtained from the TW‐TSDC method. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 88–94, 2000     

Mechanical relaxations in some ionene polymers. II. Influence of counterions and absorbed water

Six 6,10-ionenes with different counterions were prepared by ion exchange reactions in aqueous solutions. The counterions were Br, I, CIO₄, BF₄, SCN, and B(C₆H₅)₄. The dynamic mechanical properties of these polymers were investigated by use of a torsional braid analyser. Three relaxations α (25–140°C), β (?30–0°C), and γ (?140–120°C) were observed at the frequencies of 0.3–0.8 Hz. The temperature of the α and β relaxations were largely dependent on the size of counterions, but those of the γ relaxations had little variation. The effects of electrostatic forces in the polymers on each relaxation was discussed. The influence of absorbed water on the α, β, and γ relaxations was examined. The absorbed water in the polymers greatly depressed the temperature of the α relaxations and this phenomenon was interpreted to be the result of the specific hydration on ionic portions.     

Viscoelastic,dielectric, and piezoelectric behavior of solid amylose

Complex elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties were measured on amylose films as a function of temperature and moisture content at 10 Hz. The real part of the complex Young's modulus of films containing a small amount of moisture was larger than that of a dry film. Peaks in the imaginary parts of these complex response functions were observed at about ?80°C. The height of these peaks decreased when the specimen absorbed a little moisture. The activation energy for this peak as determined from an Arrhenius plot of the dielectric frequency dispersion was about 9.5 kcal/mole. This peak was ascribed to methylol rotation. The real part of piezoelectric e constant was shifted downwards when the specimen absorbed moisture. This was attributed to the instantaneous response in the case of a step function excitation. The structure of amylose was thought to be stabilized by moisture absorption, probably due to hydrogen bonding. The mechanism of methylol rotation was examined by dielectric measurements.     

A.C. dielectric and TSC studies of constrained amorphous motions in flexible polymers including poly(oxymethylene) and miscible blends

Poly(OxyMethylene) (POM) and its miscible blends were studied by multifrequency A.C. dielectric and thermally stimulated currents (TSC). The blends contained small amounts of either poly(vinyl phenol), which is a high glass transition (T_g) diluent, or a styrene-co-hydroxy styrene oligomeric low T_g diluent. The variation of the 10°C “β” transition with blend composition proves that it is the glass transition, and that the −70°C “γ” transition is a local motion. Dielectrically the β transition is very weak in pure POM even in fast-quenched samples. The TSC thermal sampling method also detected two cooperative transitions, γ and β, in POM and its blends, and was used to directly resolve the γ transition into low and high activation energy components. If one considers the contribution of exclusion of the diluents from the crystal lamellae, it is shown that the blends behave like typical amorphous blends as a function of concentration. The effect of crystals on amorphous motions is examined in light of comparison with van Krevelen's³⁷ predictions of an “amorphous” T_g, and the transitions in POM are contrasted with those for other semicrystalline polymers. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 2121–2132, 1997