A dielectric study of chain motions in poly(vinyl methyl ether)

The dielectric permittivity and loss of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (mol. wt. 30,000) have been measured from 12 Hz to 100 kHz at temperatures from 77 K to 320 K. Two relaxation processes, γ and β, are observed at T < Tg (245 K), and one above Tg. The Arrhenius plots of the γ and β processes have activation energies of 20 and 41 kJ mole−1 respectively. The relaxation rate of the α process is described by the Vogel‐Fulcher‐Tamman equation or the William‐Landel‐Ferry equation. The relaxation rates of γ and β processes evaluated from the isochrones differ from those evaluated from the isothermal spectrum. The features of chain motions observed are similar to those in other polymer and rigid molecular glasses.