Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy of reactive network - Forming polymers

Dipole dynamics in network-forming polymers were investigated by broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). The changes in reorientational dynamics during the advancement of reactions were used to (1) describe the molecular origin of various relaxation processes (alpha,beta), (2) propose a methodology for evaluation of the kinetics of network formation, (3) describe the dynamics in terms of the location and intensity of relaxation spectrum, and (4) advance an interpretation of network dynamics in terms of intermolecular cooperativity. The chemical state of network at various stages of cure was identified by simultaneous DRS and remote fiber-optic FTIR.