Characterization of poly(silylenemethylene)s by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. I.

Amorphous and crystalline poly( silylenemethylene)s with the repeating PhRSiCH2 (R : Me or Ph) units were characterized by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) to gain insights into the molecular motions of these polymers. The temperature dependence of the ortho-positronium lifetime (tau(3)) and intensity (I-3) was examined from 50 to 470 K for each sample. The glass transition temperature of each polymer was easily distinguished by a change in the slope of tau(3) spectrum. Both polymers exhibited a steep drop of I-3 at 130-140 K being probably assignable to the transition arising from the motions of phenyl groups, which was almost undetectable by means of differential scanning calorimetry or dynamic mechanical analysis. Several other transitions of these polymers detected by PALS are also discussed. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.