Delayed action heat seal adhesives. I: Dielectric relaxation studies of mixtures of dicyclohexyl phthalate with poly(vinyl acetate) and polystyrene

The design of delayed action heat seal adhesives depends on the physical properties of the polymer, plasticiser and their resultant mixtures. This paper explores the relationships between various molecular interactions and the performance of the adhesives. Dielectric relaxation measurements of mixtures of poly(vinyl acetate) or polystyrene and a plasticiser, dicyclohexyl phthalate, were performed to characterise the molecular dynamics of the system. Binary mixtures over the entire composition range were examined from 244 to 408 K and over a frequency range from 10^?1 to 6 × 10⁴ Hz, and allowed the nature of the interaction between plasticiser and polymer to be quantified. Dielectric studies are compared with measurements of the glass transition temperature obtained using thermal and mechanical analysis, and indicate that over certain composition ranges segregation of the components occurs at a molecular level. These observations are discussed in relation to the design of a delayed action heat seal formulation.     

Dielectric and viscoelastic studies of poly(ethyl methacrylate) containing cholesteric compounds

Poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) containing small amounts of cholesteryl additives was studied by dielectric and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy. Dielectric data from pure PEMA and PEMA + additive systems were fitted to the WLF equation. Using the WLF constants obtained from the data for pure PEMA, the To values for PEMA + additive systems were determined in order to get the best fit of the experimental points to the WLF curve. Values of tan δmax (dielectric and mechanical) for all the PEMA + additive systems shift to higher temperatures compared with that for pure PEMA. In the glassy region, the moduli of PEMA + additive systems are higher than that of pure PEMA. Viscometric studies of PEMA + additive systems indicate the presence of some interaction. FTIR spectra of the polymer + additive systems show no shift in carbonyl bond frequency. The shift of Tg to higher temperatures indicates that chain motion in this region is hindered greatly by these additives and the reason for this may be the fitting or aligning of the additive molecules in the polymer matrix.     

Formation of interpolymer complexes between poly(monoethyl itaconate) and poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)

This paper reports on the interpolymer complex formation and polymer blends between poly(monoethyl itaconate) (PMEI) and poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP). The formation of the interpolymer complex was found to depend upon the solvent medium. Stoichiometry of the complexes prepared from methanol solutions, as calculated from elemental analysis, is close to 1 : 1. Specific interactions of PMEI/PVP complexes and blends of these polymers have been characterized by FTIR. Strong hydrogen bonding for complexes and blends has been found. A calorimetric study of the complexes and blends has been performed over a wide temperature range.     

Dielectric properties of poly(vinyl chloride) in tetrahydrofuran and cyclohexanone

The dielectric absorption and dispersion of poly(vinyl chloride), M M_v = 49 000, in THF and in cyclohexanone have been studied over a frequency range of 120 kHz to 11·0 MHz, at temperatures from ?22·5 to 35°C, and at concentrations ranging from 4 to 12·0(w/v)% PVC/THF and from 2 to 8·0(w/v)% PVC/cyclohexanone. The viscosities of the two systems have also been measured at temperatures from 20 to 50°C. A single relaxation time was found (β = 0·8–1·0), which indicates that relaxation occurs by segmental rotation. The dielectric and viscous activation energies have been calculated. The dipole moment associated with the relaxation process has also been calculated. The relaxation time, dielectric and viscous activation energies and the dipole moment were found to be dependent on the type of solvent. The dipole moment also showed a molecular weight dependence. The influence of the concentration and temperature on the apparent dipole moment and on the relaxation time is discussed.     

Dielectric relaxations in poly(monocyclohexyl itaconate)

A study of the dielectric relaxation spectrum of poly(monocyclohexyl itaconate) (PMCHI) is performed by means of two experimental techniques: first, at variable frequency in the audio zone and, second, by thermally stimulated depolarization currents. Because of the high conductivity of the samples, there is a hidden dielectric relaxation that can be detected by using the macroscopic dynamic polarizability ε^* defined in terms of the dielectric complex permittivity α^* by means of the equation (ε^* = 1)/(ε^* + 2). The transformation performed through this equation is discussed in order to obtain the dielectric relaxations in the zone of high temperatures and low frequencies of the spectrum.     

Dielectric relaxation behaviour of poly(cyclobutyl methacrylate)s

Dielectric behaviour of two poly(methacrylate)s with cyclobutyl groups in the side‐chains has been studied. This investigation was performed by determining the dielectric permittivity and loss in terms of frequency and temperature for poly(cyclobutyl methacrylate) (PCBuM) and poly(cyclobutylmethyl methacrylate) (PCBuMM). Dynamic dielectric measurements show sub‐glass relaxations, probably due to motions in the lateral chain, including the cyclobutyl ring. The effect of the insertion of a flexible spacer group into the side‐chain is also analyzed. The α relaxations were analyzed in terms of the Havriliak–Negami equation and the free volume theory tested according to the Vogel–Fulcher–Tamman–Hesse equation. The conductive and interfacial phenomena were studied by hopping and MacDonald–Coelho models. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dielectric dispersion studies of poly(vinyl alcohol) in aqueous solutions

The dielectric constant ε′ and loss factor ε″ of deionized water and poly(vinyl alcohol) in aqueous solutions are measured in the frequency region 200 MHz to 20 GHz at four different temperatures (25, 35, 45 and 55 °C). Complex plane plots (ie ε″ vs ε′) are drawn to obtain the static dielectric constant ε₀, high frequency dielectric constant ε_∞, distribution parameter α and average relaxation time τ₀. The variations of dielectric constants with increasing solvent concentration and temperature are discussed in terms of solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions. The average relaxation time τ₀ of poly(vinyl alcohol) aqueous solutions is found to the very short. It is also observed that the relaxation time is almost independent of the viscosity of the solution. The effect of water concentration on macromolecular size, shape and flexibility of the molecular chain are discussed using the observed values of dielectric relaxation times at different temperatures. The possibility of multiple dielectric dispersion is also discussed with concentration variation. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dielectric relaxation of poly(tetrafluoroethylene–perfluorovinyl ether) films

Dielectric constant and dielectric loss have been studied for poly(tetrafluoroethylene–perfluorovinyl ether) (PFA) films over a wide temperature range in the frequency range 0.1–100 kHz. Two relaxation peaks were observed, one at room temperature (α_a-relaxation) and the other in the range 170–140 K (β-relaxation), with activation energies of 143·2 and 16·4 kcal/mol, respectively. The β-absorption is attributed to the short segmental local mode motion of the main chains. The α_a-relaxation can be interpreted as due to large-scale conformational rearrangement. The Cole–Cole diagrams are given at different temperatures and the distribution parameters (ϵ₀–ϵ_∞) and (1–α) of the relaxation times were calculated. The X-ray diffraction pattern of PFA shows both a diffuse halo and sharp reflections, characteristic of amorphous and crystalline phases of conventional semicrystalline polymers. Also, no evidence of crystallinity in the films due to thermal treatment during dielectric measurements was observed. IR spectra revealed the absence of any new peaks after the heat treatment.     

Dielectric relaxations in poly [2,2-propane-bis-(4-phenyl thiocarbonate)]

The dielectric relaxation properties of poly[2,2-propane-bis-(4-phenyl thiocarbonate)] (PTC) have been studied. The existence of crystallinity, which can be eliminated by quenching, is detected. The degree of crystallinity of polymer samples was determined by differential scanning calorimetry in order to investigate the effect of this factor on the dielectric behaviour of this polymer. The thermal degradation of the samples was studied by thermogravimetry. The degradation of the polymer begins before the glass transition temperature T_g. The dielectric spectrum is complex showing several relaxation phenomena. With increasing temperature a γ relaxation can be observed at - 100°C (5 kHz). The activation energy obtained from an Arrhenius plot (lnfvs T^?1) is 6 kcal mol^?1. At 160°C the α relaxation which is associated with the glass transition temperature T_g is detected. The dielectric behaviour of this poly(thiocarbonate) is compared with the corresponding poly(carbonate).     

Multiple transitions in poly(allylbenzene): 2. Dielectric relaxations: relationship between structure and properties

The relaxations associated with the phase transitions observed in poly(allylbenzene) have been investigated by dielectric spectroscopy. A morphological model is proposed to describe the fine structure of glass and liquid-liquid transitions and a correlation is established between the polymer structure and several of its properties.     

Solvent effects on microwave dielectric relaxation in poly(ethylene glycols)

This paper reports the results of a systematic study of microwave dielectric relaxation times of poly(ethylene glycols), average molecular weight 200–9000, in dilute solutions of benzene at 9·83GHz. These results are compared with the values of relaxation times obtained earlier in carbon tetrachloride solutions. This shows that the average relaxation times τ₀ and the relaxation time corresponding to segmental reorientation τ₁ are influenced by the solvent environment. The variation in chain flexibility in these polymers with the increase in degree of polymerization and formation of intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonding in benzene and carbon tetrachloride solutions is discussed with the help of relaxation data. The relaxation time τ₂ corresponding to group rotations has been determined. It is found that the τ₂ value is independent of solvent environment and degree of polymerization, and may be attributed to the rotation of chain −OH end-groups around the C−O bonds in dynamic equilibrium, with the formation of a five-membered ring due to intra-molecular hydrogen bonding at the end of the chain. © 1998 SCI.     

Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Contour maps of dielectric loss tangent within the ranges 0.1 Hz to 3 MHz and ?175 °C to +190 °C are presented for a commercial poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in two initial states of crystallinity. Individual absorption regions resemble those for poly(butylene terephthalate) and are attributed to carbonyl‐driven α‐ and β‐relaxation processes and to Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars polarizations. Possible causes are considered for the asymmetry and structure apparent in the α‐peak of partially crystalline PET. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dielectric loss of an oligomeric poly(propylene oxide) in the liquid region above Tg

Dynamic dielectric studies of oligomeric poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) of $\text{M}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{=3034}$, between ?10° and 40°C at 0.1, 1, and 10 KHz, reveal a glass transition and a T >T_g liquid-liquid transition. Analysis of $\text{d}\text{?′}\text{d}\text{T}$ in the liquid region of PPO also indicates the presence of T₁₁. The activation enthalpies for the T_g and T₁₁ transitions have been calculated to be 39 and 18 kCal mol^?1, respectively. The T₁₁ transition in poly(propylene oxide) has been assigned to the motion of the entire polymer molecule.     

Dielectric properties of low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol)s

This paper reports the measured values of dielectric permittivity ε′ and dielectric loss ε″ of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and poly(ethylene glycol)s of average molecular weight 200, 300, 400 and 600 g mol⁻¹ in the pure liquid state. The measurements have been carried out in the frequency range 200 MHz to 20 GHz at four different temperatures of 25, 35, 45 and 55 °C. The complex plane plots (ε″ versus ε′) of these molecules are Cole–Cole arcs. The static dielectric constant ε₀, high‐frequency limiting dielectric constant ε_∞, average relaxation time τ₀ and distribution parameter α have been determined from these plots. The value of the Kirkwood correlation factor g and the dielectric rate free energy of activation ΔF have also been evaluated. The dependence of relaxation time on molecular size and viscosity has been discussed. A comparison has also been made with the dielectric behaviour of these molecules in dilute solutions of non‐polar solvents, which were carried out earlier in this laboratory. The influences of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and molecular chain coiling on the dielectric relaxation of these molecules have been recognized. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of water on relaxations in the glassy and liquid states of poly(propylene oxide) of molecular weight 4000

The complex relative permittivity of poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) of molecular weight 4000 containing 1.23 wt% water has been measured in the temperature range 77 to 325 K and frequency range 12 Hz to 500 kHz, and the results are compared with the corresponding study of pure PPO-4000. On the addition of water, all the three processes, namely the β-process (at T < T_g) and the - and ′-processes (at T > T_g), are shifted to higher temperatures. The strength of the β-process remained unchanged but that of the and ′-processes increased. The halfwidths of the three processes remained unchanged on dilution with water. The decrease in the relaxation rate of the β-process is suggested to be due to hydrogen bonding of the ---CH(CH₃)---O---CH₂--- group with water molecules. Water antiplasticizes PPO-4000 and this is interpreted as due to the increased chain length when the chain ends become linked via hydrogen bonds. The static permittivity is increased by 30% on addition of 1.23 wt% water.     

Flow-modified permittivity of solutions of poly(n-butyl isocyanate) and poly(n-hexyl isocyanate)

The dielectric behaviour of solutions of poly(n-butyl isocyanate) and poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) in flow have been examined, including, for the latter polymer, fractions of differing molecular weight. The data are analysed in terms of established theories for changes in the permittivity of solutions of rigid macromolecules undergoing shear and are critically compared to dielectrically based information obtained from studies of still solutions. Rotational diffusion coefficients and dipole moments have been measured and the influence of heterogeneity in molecular weight on flow-modified permittivity is examined. The results obtained support the view that the theories for the flow-modified permittivity of rigid macromolecules are generally satisfactory in providing rotational diffusion coefficients and resolved dipoles, but that the influence of molecular shape on the effect is not simply obtained when polydisperse material is involved.     

Dielectric,mechanical and thermal properties of some chlorinated poly (p-phenylene oxide)s in the solid state

The dielectric, mechanical and thermal properties were investigated for poly(2,6-dichloro-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PDCPO), poly(2-chloro-6-methyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PCMPO) and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PDMPO). PDCPO exhibited two dielectric secondary relaxations designated as β and γ processes around 160 and 100K, respectively. The γ process was assigned to the motion of a trace of chloroform included in the PDCPO film. A blend film PDMPO/PCMPO ($\text{9}\text{1}$ mixing ratio) exhibited dielectric relaxation around 330K and the process was assigned to the rotation of phenyl group with respect to oxygen-phenyl-oxygen axis. No dielectric relaxation was observed for the PDMPO film dried carefully, while the PDMPO film kept under an atmosphere of water vapour exhibited dielectric relaxation due to the motion of the water molecules at about 180K. Tensile stress at break measured on PDCPO prepared by Stamatoff's method was 38 MPa and was much higher than that for PDCPO prepared by the method reported by Blanchard et al. Temperature dependence of the dynamic Young's modulus for PDCPO measured at 110 Hz exhibited no appreciable loss peak in the range below 480K. Glass transition temperatures for PDCPO, PCMPO and PDMPO were determined to be 490, 445 and 500K, respectively, by differential scanning calorimetry.     

Dielectric properties and structures of melt‐compounded poly(ethylene oxide)–montmorillonite nanocomposites

The dielectric dispersion and relaxation process in melt‐compounded hot‐pressed poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)–montmorillonite (MMT) clay nanocomposite films of 0–20 wt % MMT concentration were investigated over the frequency range 20 Hz to 1 MHz at ambient temperature. X‐ray diffraction study of the nanocomposites evidences that the PEO has been intercalated into the MMT interlayer galleries with a helical‐type multilayer structures, which results the formation of unique parallel plane PEO–MMT layered structures. The relaxation times corresponding to PEO chain segmental motion were determined from the loss peak frequencies of different dielectric formalisms and the same is used to explore the interactions compatibility between PEO molecules and the MMT nano platelets. It is revealed that the loading of only 1 wt % MMT in PEO matrix significantly increases the PEO chain segmental motion due to intercalation, which further varies anomalously with increase of MMT concentration. The real part of dielectric function at 1 MHz, relaxation time, and dc conductivity of these melt‐compounded nanocomposites were compared with the aqueous solution‐cast PEO–MMT films. Considering the comparative changes in the values of various dielectric parameters, the effect of synthesization route on the intercalated/exfoliated‐MMT structures and the PEO chain dynamics were discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis and characterization of waterborne polyurethane emulsions based on poly(butylene itaconate) ester

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) prepolymer was synthesised by the reaction of poly(butylene itaconate) ester (PBI, Mn = 1109 g/mol), 1,6-hexanediol, dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA), 2,4-toluene diisocynate (TDI), hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), and absolute ethanol as blocking agent, triethylamine as neutralizer. Cross-linked WPU was synthesized by trimethylolpropane (TMP) as crosslinker. The influences of PBI, DMPA, and TMP content on WPU emulsions and films were investigated. The structure of WPU was determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, thermal properties and glass transition temperature of WPU films were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively, and morphology of the emulsion particles was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Through TGA, the heat resistance of the cross-linked WPU film was better than WPU film. By DSC analysis, glass transition temperature of cross-linked WPU film (21 °C) was higher than WPU film (10 °C).     

Structural relaxation in poly(ethylene terephthalate) studied by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Positron lifetime technique was used to study the physical ageing process in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Positron lifetime results show that the structural relaxation processes in PET encompass two different time regimes, one short and the other long. The relaxation function constructed from the measured o‐Ps intensity I₃ exhibits non‐exponential character, which can be best fitted with two additive exponentials. The Narayanaswamy model (Kohlraush‐William Watt (KWW) function) is invoked to extract the stretching parameter β indicating the extent of deviation from exponential relaxation. Based on the relaxation times, the activation energies calculated seem to label the different kinetic units of PET structure participating in the relaxation process. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry