Some relaxation studies of molecular and intramolecular motions in glassy o-terphenyl

Abstract

In this work, the results of dielectric studies carried out on a number of molecules of the general form y [symbol] x are presented. These molecules have been studied mainly in two forms: as solutions of glassy o-terphenyl, Santovac [superscript R], or atactic polystyrene, and in some cases as the pure compressed solid. It is in this latter regard that a new technique for the study of compressed solid preparation has been developed. Studies were carried out over the frequency range 10[superscript 2] to 10[superscript 5] Hz using a General Radio 1615A Capacitance Bridge. The experimental data as a function of frequency at different temperatures were analyzed by computer and fit to the Eyring rate equation. From this analysis, activation energy barriers for the observed dielectric relaxation processes were obtained. general form are presented. Molecules studied have been chosen to correlate such properties as symmetry and electronic and steric effects to the observed Eyring rate parameters.