Spin-probe studies. II. Applications to polymer characterization

The spin-probe technique has been employed to study interactions between several small organic nitroxides and host polymers in which they are dissolved. By this method one is able to study the mobility of the dissolved molecule in its microscopic environment using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The behavior of one nitroxide has been examined in twelve different polymers and copolymers. An ESR line shape parameter has been correlated with T_m and T_g. In addition, energy barriers for the rotation of the dissolved nitroxides in the polymers have been calculated. They range from 7.8 to 18 kcal/mole, depending on the structure of the nitroxide and the polymer. Similar experiments in a hydrocarbon solvent afford a rotational energy barrier of 3.8 kcal/mole.