Dielectric relaxation in poly(ethylene glycols) at 9.83 GHz

Dielectric relaxation studies of poly(ethylene glycols), average molecular weight 200–9000, have been carried out in carbon tetrachloride solutions at microwave frequency, i.e. 9.83 GHz. Average relaxation times τ 0 and relaxation times corresponding to segmental motion τ 1 , and group rotations τ 2 have been calculated. The variations of relaxation times with increase in degree of polymerization and temperature have been determined. With the increase in the degree of polymerization the flexibility increases and hence the coiling of the chain increases. At a certain temperature there is a decrease in the relaxation time corresponding to segmental motion, suggestive of some switch‐over mechanism in higher polymers. The relaxation time corresponding to group rotations is independent of temperature and degree of polymerization.