Correlation between dipolar TSDC and AC dielectric spectroscopy at the PVDF glass transition

The α_a-mode (associated to the dynamic glass transition) in PVDF-α has been studied by Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Currents (TSDC) and Dielectric Spectroscopy (DS) techniques. The distribution of relaxation parameters, reorientation energies, characteristic temperature, and preexponential factors of the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher relaxation times have been precisely determined by using the Simulated Annealing Direct Signal Analysis applied to a partially discharged TSDC α_a peak. This distribution has been used to predict the variation of the dielectric loss, ε″(ω, T), in the temperature and frequency range where the DS measurements were made on the same material. The simulated ε′(T, ω) for various ω, are compared to the experimental values. The width of the peak is always too low, due to the restricted distribution used for the generation of the curves. A relaxation map including the TSDC results is used to determine the relaxation time variation. In the limited frequency range where the AC DS experiments are performed (10² ≤ f ≤ 10⁵ Hz) a master curve is drawn and the exponents of the frequency dependence are found at low and high frequency; also, a fitting to the Havriliak–Negami distribution is successfully performed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 2483–2493, 1997     

Proton NMR investigation of the local dynamics of PEO in PEO/PMMA blends

Longitudinal relaxation of proton magnetisation was used to characterize the molecular motions of PEO chains in compatible PEO (hydrogenated)/PMMA (deuterated) blends. Both the temperature and the PEO concentration, Φ, were varied. A maximum in the spin–lattice relaxation rate was observed and its properties were analyzed as a function of Φ. For Φ ≤ 0.50, the maximum is observed below the glass transition temperature of the blend; this shows that PEO chains dispersed in a matrix of PMMA remain highly mobile on a local scale even below T_g(Φ). A frequency–temperature correspondence procedure, applied to the measurements performed at two Larmor frequencies, 32 and 60 MHz, leads to a characteristic correlation time for PEO molecular motions. Its temperature dependence obeys a WLF free volume relation above the glass transition of the blends. The PEO free volume fraction and its thermal expansion are strongly reduced by the presence of the PMMA chains. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 1095–1105, 1997     

Conductance and relaxations in the glassy and rubber states of aqueous poly( vinyl pyrrolidone): A cryofixation medium

The dielectric permittivity and loss of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), molecular weight 40,000, containing 40% (by weight) water have been measured over the temperature range 77–325 K and frequency range 12 Hz to 0.1 MHz. A prominent relaxation due to rotational diffusion of water molecules in a hydrogen-bonded structure occurs at T < T_g (237 K). The half-width of the dipolar relaxation spectra is 2.27 decades and is temperature independent, which is strikingly different from the corresponding features of pure polymers. It is concluded that H-bonded amorphous solid water persists in the glassy polymer matrix and that the H-bonded structure contains the pyrrolidone side groups of the randomly oriented chain. The relaxation peak at T near T_g is masked by a large dc conductivity which, when expressed in terms of electric modulus, has a spectrum of half-width 1.37 instead of 1.14 decades expected for dc conductivity alone. The contribution from dipolar reorientation in the glass-rubber range of the PVP-H₂O solution is smaller than that in its sub-T_g relaxation.     

Dynamic mechanical behavior of fluorinated aromatic poly(ethers)

The relaxation behavior of six fluorinated aromatic poly(ethers) was investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis. The glass transition temperature was found to increase as the size and rigidity of linking groups increased and varied between 168°C for a dimethyl linking group and 300°C for a bicyclic benzoate ether-linking group. For the α-relaxation the steepness of time/temperature plots and broadness of the loss curves could be qualitatively correlated with chemical structure in a manner predicted by the coupling model of relaxation. Well-separated sub-T_g transitions were also observed, as a shoulder on the low temperature side of the α-peak, and as a broad, low loss transition around −100°C. The higher temperature process was similar to the structural relaxation often found in quenched glassy polymers, while the position, intensity, and breadth of the subambient process was sensitive to chemical structure. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 1963–1971, 1997     

Solid‐state NMR analyses of the crystalline–noncrystalline structure and its thermal changes for ethylene ionomers

The crystalline–noncrystalline structure and its structural changes from thermal treatments for ethylene ionomers have been investigated with solid‐state ¹³C and ²³Na NMR spectroscopy. ¹³C spin–lattice relaxation time (T_1C) measurements reveal that as‐received ethylene ionomers have much enhanced molecular mobility in the crystalline region in comparison with conventional polyethylene samples. By appropriate annealing, however, polyethylene‐like morphological features reflecting T_1C behavior can also be observed. ¹³C spin–spin relaxation time (T_2C) measurements for the noncrystalline region reveal the existence of two components with different T_2C values, and these two components have been assigned to the crystalline–amorphous interfacial and rubbery–amorphous components. These results indicate that the structure of the major part of the noncrystalline region in the ethylene ionomers is similar to that of bulk‐crystallized polyethylene samples, regardless of possible ionic aggregates. The origin of the lower temperature endothermic peak in the heating process of the differential scanning calorimetry curve observed for the as‐received sample has also been examined somewhat in detail. As a result, it is proposed that the melting of smaller crystallites produced during storage at room temperature is the origin of the lower temperature peak. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1142–1153, 2002     

Nuclear magnetic relaxation in polyolefin resins

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin–lattice relaxation times (T₁) in various polyethylene and polypropylene resins were measured at 20 MHz and at temperatures of 130–490 K. At each temperature and for all resins, only a single value of T₁ was found, which was consistent with the occurrence of rapid spin diffusion throughout the protons attached to the polymer chains. The data were analyzed for the estimation of activation energies corresponding to molecular motion causing spin–lattice relaxation. Two well‐defined minima were found for log_e(T₁) plotted as a function of temperature for all of the polypropylene resins. Single very broad minima were found for all of the polyethylene samples. In contrast, the free induction decay signals from all of the resins following single radio‐frequency pulses were observed to contain a rapidly decaying component followed by a much more slowly decaying signal. These components were used to estimate the amount of rigid component present in the solid resins at room temperature. Samples of one high‐density polyethylene and one low‐density polyethylene were irradiated with γ radiation up to a 500‐kGy dose to examine the effects of crosslinking on the NMR relaxation. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 572–584, 2002; DOI 10.1002/polb.10116     

Transition and relaxation processes of polyethylene,polypropylene, and polystyrene studied by positron annihilation

Transition and relaxation processes of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were studied by the positron annihilation technique. From measurements of lifetime spectra of positrons as a function of temperature, the lifetime of ortho-positronium, τ₃, and its intensity, I₃, were found to increase above 260 K for PP. This fact was attributed to a cooperative motion of large segments of molecules above the glass transition temperature, T_g. For PE, above T_g (140 K), the value of τ₃ increased, but the temperature coefficient of I₃ was negative below 230 K. From this fact, for PE, the molecular motions that cause the glass transition were associated with a rearrangement of molecules by local motions such as kink motions. The discrepancy between the results for PE and PP was attributed to the presence of methyl groups in PP and the resultant suppression of the local motions. For PS (T_g = 340 K), the molecular motions were found to start above 260 K, but those were suppressed by an interphenyl correlation. Detailed annihilation characteristics of positrons in polymers were also discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 1601–1609, 1997     

Moisture effect on the low- and high-temperature dielectric relaxations in nylon-6

The effect of water sorption on the dielectric relaxation processes of nylon-6 samples with water concentrations ranging from the dry to the water-saturated polymer has been studied by thermally stimulated depolarization currents experiments in a broad temperature range, from 77 to 365 K. The strengths of the low-temperature modes, γ- and β-peaks, are affected in opposite ways by the water concentration, h, as the first one shows a decrease in intensity and the second one grows as h increases. The precise determination of the relaxation parameters is made by the decomposition in elementary Debye processes and best fitting to the experimental profile of the complex peak. For h < 3%, the reorienting energies are almost independent of the water content, and the most significant intensity variations occur. The firmly bound water is held responsible for these effects. As for the higher temperature zone besides the α-peak, which is the dielectric manifestation of the glass transition, intermediate temperatures modes are observed at high h values and are originated by the loosely bound water, while the highest temperature peak is attributed to a Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization. The characteristic parameters of the α-mode are determined and related to the plasticization effect of water. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 2879–2888, 1997     

Rubbing‐induced molecular alignment and its relaxation in polystyrene thin films

Rubbing‐induced molecular alignment and its relaxation in polystyrene (PS) thin films are studied with optical birefringence. A novel relaxation of the alignment is observed that is distinctly different from the known relaxation processes of PS. First, it is not the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts type but instead is characterized by two single exponentials plus a temperature‐dependent constant. At temperatures several degrees or more below the glass‐transition temperature (T_g), the relaxation time falls between that of the α and β relaxations. Second, the decay time constants are the same within 40% for PS with weight‐average molecular weights (M_w's) of 13,700–550,000 Da at temperatures well below the sample T_g's, indicating that the molecular relaxations involved are mostly local within the entanglement distance. Nonetheless, the temperature at which the rubbing‐induced molecular alignment disappears (T₀) exhibits a strong M_w dependence and closely approximates the T_g of the sample. Furthermore, T₀ depends notably on the thickness of the polymer in much the same way as previously found for the T_g of supported PS films. This suggests that the α process becomes dominant near T_g. Preliminary spectroscopic studies in the mid‐infrared range show a significant degree of bending of the phenyl ring toward the sample surface, with the C? C bond connecting the phenyl ring and the main chain tends to lie along the rubbing direction, which indicates that the relaxation is connected with the reorientation of this C? C bond. We exclude the observed relaxation, as predominantly a near‐surface one, because detailed studies on the effects of rubbing conditions on the degree of molecular alignment indicate that the alignment is not local to the polymer–air surface. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2906–2914, 2001     

Synthesis and polymerization studies of N-cyanomethanimine monomers

New imine monomers containing C-aryl and N-cyano substituents were synthesized and polymerized by both radical and anionic initiation. Homopolymerization yielded low molecular weight polymers (M_n < 2100). Higher yields were obtained with anionic initiation rather than radical initiation. Radical initiated copolymerization with p-methoxystyrene gave low yields of low molecular weight copolymers. Radical initiated copolymerization with methyl acrylate gave copolymers of 15,000–,32,000 molecular weight in moderate yields, but with rather low incorporation of the imine monomer. The C-substituent affected the anionic and free radical reactivity similarly. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2703–2710, 1997     

Phase structures and transition behaviors in polymers containing rigid rodlike backbones with flexible side chains. V. Methylene side‐chain effects on structure and molecular motion in a series of polyimides

A series of organo‐soluble hairy‐rod polyimides was recently synthesized from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and di[n‐alkyl]‐4,4′‐diamino‐6,6′‐dibromo‐2,2′‐biphenyldicarboxylate with side chains of varying lengths (the numbers of methylene units), BACBP(n). Dynamic mechanical (DM) results reveal two cooperative relaxation processes for BACBPs(n > 10), which correspond to the two (low‐ and high‐) transition temperatures observed in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For BACBPs(n < 10), although two DM relaxation processes can be observed, the low‐temperature relaxation peak shifts into a medium temperature region that is difficult to observe in DSC experiments. Measurements indicate that the density of BACBP(n)s decreases with increasing numbers of methylene units. A discontinuity in the rate of density change can be seen at BACBP(10). Variable temperature solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance experiments were also carried out to determine the molecular origins of each of the observed DM relaxation processes. The low‐ [for BACBPs(n > 10)] and possibly the medium‐ [for BACBPs(n < 10)] temperature relaxations are associated with the onset of motion in the side chains, and the high‐temperature relaxation is associated with motion in the backbones. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction analysis indicates that the lateral packing periodicity of the backbones in the unoriented polyimides changes its relationship with the side‐chain length at around 10 methylene units. In the oriented films of these polyimides, furthermore, those having the long side chains [BACBPs(n > 10)] adopt monoclinic unit cells, whereas those having the short side chains [BACBPs(n ≤ 10)] possess hexagonal unit cells. The drastic temperature difference between the low‐ and medium‐relaxation processes observed in DM experiments may be explained because of a change in the lateral packing arising from the variation of the side‐chain length. The limited mobility afforded the BACBPs(n ≤ 10) is a result of their more ordered conformation and interdigitation between the neighboring side chains. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1633–1646, 1999     

Discrepancies in the characterization of the glass transition in thin films of hyperbranched polyesters

The dynamic glass transition and the dilatometric glass transition temperature are simultaneously characterized in thin films of hyperbranched aromatic polyesters by broadband dielectric spectroscopy and capacitive scanning dilatometry. A diverging thickness dependence is detected: while the temperature position of the alpha relaxation peak T_α decreases by ∼30 K, the dilatometric T_g increases by ∼10 K with decreasing film thickness. This emphasizes the subtle character of the glass transition phenomenon—as manifested in the molecular dynamics and in the (structural) thermal expansion—and proves that, in contrast to the bulk, different experimental techniques do not necessarily deliver similar results in confinement. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 3006–3010, 2006     

Pressure relaxation of polystyrene and its comparison to the shear response

Isothermal pressure relaxation as a function of temperature in two pressure ranges has been measured for polystyrene using a self-built pressurizable dilatometer. A master curve for pressure relaxation in each pressure regime is obtained based on the time–temperature superposition principle, and time–pressure superposition of the two master curves is found to be applicable when the master curves are referenced to their pressure-dependent T_g. The pressure relaxation master curves, the shift factors, and retardation spectra obtained from these curves are compared with those obtained from shear creep compliance measurements for the same material. The shift factors for the bulk and shear responses have the same temperature dependence, and the retardation spectra overlap at short times. Our results suggest that the bulk and shear response have similar molecular origin, but that long-time chain mechanisms available to shear are lost in the bulk response. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 3375–3385, 2007     

Correlation study among oxygen permeability,molecular mobility,and amorphous structure change of poly(ethylene‐vinylalcohol copolymers) by moisture

Oxygen permeability and the free‐volume hole size (cavity size) of ethylene‐vinylalcohol copolymers (EVOH) indicate abnormal humidity dependence, that is, they have minimum values in the range of around 20–40% RH, not showing a monotonic increase with humidity. To clarify this abnormal phenomenon, we investigated its molecular mobility and amorphous structure change by means of solid‐state NMR and temperature‐modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC). The glass transition temperature (T_g) decreased with humidity. Specimens stored at 15–60% RH showed large enthalpy relaxation, and it was found that the amorphous structure became more compact and the molecular conformation became more stable by ageing within this range of humidity. Under these conditions, solid‐state NMR measurement showed a component with intermediate relaxation time in the amorphous region. The results obtained by TMDSC and solid‐state NMR showed a reduction in molecular mobility by densifying in the amorphous region under the condition of 15–60% RH. The fact that the oxygen permeability and the cavity size of EVOH indicate minimum values at low humidity are attributed to the reduction in molecular mobility by enthalpy relaxation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1181–1191, 2009     

Increase in molecular mobility of an amorphous polymer deformed below Tg

An extensive mechanical spectroscopy study in the low‐frequency range is proposed to evidence and characterize the effect of a deformation below the glass transition temperature (T_g) on the mobility in an amorphous bisphenol‐A polycarbonate. The mechanical treatment induces the appearance of a peak more than 100 K below T_α, which presents the characteristics of a relaxation associated to an unstable nature. This phenomenon is related to the creation of shear‐induced high‐mobility zones. The characteristics of these zones appear to be independent of the deformation level applied to the system. The use of a specific procedure allows the determination of the values of the apparent activation energy of the mechanism. The apparent activation energy increases continuously from the values of the β‐relaxation to the main α‐relaxation ones. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 497–505, 2008     

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     

Design and characterization of thermosetting polyimide structural adhesive and composite matrix systems

Fully cyclized, organo soluble, phenylethynyl-terminated, ether-imide oligomers of 2–10,000 g/mol (M_n) were prepared by the reaction of 2,2′-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]-propane dianhydride (bisphenol-A dianhydride, BPADA) with a stoichiometric excess of either para, meta, or isomeric mixtures of phenylene diamine and phenylethynylphthalic anhydride (4-PEPA) endcapper. High para-containing oligomers produced semicrystalline powders, but the all meta isomer was completely amorphous. The lower molecular weight oligomers displayed an attractive low viscosity melt and were cured to very high gel content networks at 350–380°C for 30–90 min. The cured 3000 g/mol oligomers showed a (DSC) glass transition temperature (T_g) of 267°C and produced tough, solvent-resistant films. Excellent adhesion to surface-treated titanium alloys was achieved, as judged by single-lap shear measurements. Resin infusion molding was conducted, which permitted low-void, graphite-fabric composite panels to be prepared. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2943–2954, 1997     

Relaxation behavior of aliphatic-aromatic poly(ether amide)s as revealed by dynamic mechanical and dielectric methods

The mechanical and dielectric relaxation of a set of aromatic-aliphatic polyamides containing ether linkages have been examined as a function of temperature (−140 to 190°C) and frequency (3 to 10⁶ Hz). The polymers differ in the orientation (meta and para) of the aromatic rings, in the length of the aliphatic chain, and in the number of ether linkages per repeating unit. Dynamic mechanical experiments showed three main relaxation peaks related to the glass transition temperature of the polymers (α relaxation), the subglass relaxations associated to the absorbed water molecules (β) and to the motion of the aliphatic moieties (γ). Dielectric experiments showed two subglass relaxation processes (β and γ) that correlates with the mechanical β and γ relaxations, and a conduction process (σ) above 50°C that masks the relaxation associated to the glass transition. A molecular interpretation is attempted to explain the position and intensity of the relaxation, studying the influence of the proportion of para- or meta- oriented phenylene rings, the presence of ether linkages and the length of the aliphatic chain. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys, 35: 457–468, 1997     

Molecular relaxation of isotactic polystyrene: Real‐time dielectric spectroscopy and X‐ray scattering studies*

The molecular relaxation processes and structure of isotactic polystyrene (iPS) films were investigated with real‐time dielectric spectroscopy and simultaneous wide‐ and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The purpose of this work was to explore the restrictions imposed on molecular mobility in the vicinity of the α relaxation (glass transition) for crystallized iPS. Isothermal cold crystallization at temperatures of T_c = 140 or 170 °C resulted in a sigmoidal increase of crystallinity with crystallization time. The glass‐transition temperature (T_g), determined calorimetrically, exhibited almost no increase during the first stage of crystal growth before impingement of spherulites. After impingement, the calorimetric T_g increased, suggesting that confinement effects occur in the latter stages of crystallization. For well‐crystallized samples, the radius of the cooperativity region decreased substantially as compared with the purely amorphous sample but was always smaller than the layer thickness of the mobile amorphous fraction. Dielectric experiments directly probed changes in the amorphous dipole mobility. The real‐time dielectric data were fitted to a Havriliak–Negami model, and the time dependence of the parameters describing the distribution of relaxation times and dielectric strength was obtained. The central dipolar relaxation time showed little variation before spherulite impingement but increased sharply during the second stage of crystal growth as confinement occurred. Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann analysis demonstrated that the dielectric reference temperature, corresponding to the onset of calorimetric T_g, did not vary for well‐crystallized samples. This observation agreed with a model in which constraints affect primarily the modes having longer relaxation times and thus broaden the glass‐transition relaxation process on the higher temperature side. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 777–789, 2004     

Dielectric and conductivity relaxations in poly(hema) and of water in its hydrogel

The dielectric permittivity ε′ and loss ε″ of anhydrous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and its 38.6 w/w% hydrogel have been measured in the frequency range from 12 Hz to 200 kHz and the temperature range from 77 to 273 K. The former has a sub-T_g relaxation with a half-width of 4.5 decades for the loss spectra, whose strength increases with temperature, and an activation energy of 62.5 kJ/mol. The dielectric relaxation time of the α process of supercooled water in the hydrogel is 53 s at its calorimetric T_g of 135 K. The half-width of the relaxation spectrum is 2.85 decades and, in the narrow temperature range, its apparent activation energy is 60.8 kJ/mol. Heating of the hydrogel causes crystallization of water which begins at about 207 K and becomes readily detectable as a second dielectric loss peak at about 230 K. For each temperature between 207 and 267 K, supercooled water in the hydrogel coexists with its crystallized form, with the amount of the crystallized solid increasing with increasing temperature. These results are discussed in terms of “bound” and “free” states of water in the hydrogel.