Molecular motions in a rigid backbone polymer: poly(n-hexyl isocyanate). A Study by thermally stimulated currents

Abstract

The molecular motions of poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) have been studied systematically by the technique of thermally stimulated discharge currents (TSDC) in the temperature range –160–120 °C. Owing to the thermal decomposition of the substance occuring at temperatures near 120 °C, it was not possible to extend the study to higher temperatures and, particularly, it was not possible to study the molecular dynamics in the liquid-crystalline phase. In the studied temperature range, a complex pattern of relaxation mechanisms was observed, which included a low-temperature relaxation ascribed to the mobility of side-chain alkyl groups, the glass-transition relaxation (T_g=–50 °C) and a higher temperature relaxation ascribed to the worm-like motions of the polymer backbone.