| Abstract: | 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 |
