Polyisoprenes, relaxation parameters

The major results described could be partially anticipated from those previously reported for linear polyethylene (17) as well as those for cis polyisoprene. (] ) For the latter polymer, by taking advantage of its crystallization kinetic characteristics, it was possible to compare the relaxation parameters of the completely amorphous and partially crystalline polymer (31% crystallinity) at the same temperature, 0°C. This is a unique situation and allows for some unequivocal comparisons. It was definitively observed that for all the carbons of cis polyisoprene the T] s did not change with crystallization. 

In contrast to the spin-lattice relaxation parameters, which remain invariant, a sijbstantial broadening of the resonant lines occurs upon crystallization. The effect is relatively modest for cis polyisoprene at 0°C and 57.9 MHz, where comparison can be made at the same temperature. Here there is about a 50% increase in the linewidths upon the development of 30% crystallinity. Schaefer (13) reports approximately 3- to 5-fold broader lines (but they are still relatively narrow) for the crystalline trans polyisoprene relative to the completely amorphous cis polyisoprene at 40°C and 22.5 MHz. It is interesting to note in this connection that for carbon black filled cis polyisoprene the line-widths are greater by factors of 5-10 relative to the unfilled polymer. 

In panels (a)-(c), comparison of the blend moduli calculated from the model (curves Equations 3.69 through 3.73) with the moduli data (symbols) for various high-M polyisoprene/ poly(p-tert butyl styrene) (PI/PtBS) blends as indicated. The sample code nmnbers of the blends indicate 10 M of the components. The model considers the cooperative Rouse equilibration and successive constraint release (CR)/reptation relaxation of the component chains, and the model parameters summarized in Table 3.1 were determined experimentally. (Redrawn, with permission, from Watanabe, H., Q. Chen, Y. Kawasaki, Y. Matsumiya, T. Inoue, and O. Urakawa. 2011. Entanglement dynamics in miscible polyisoprene/poly(p-fert-butylstyrene) blends. Macromolecules 44 1570-1584). 

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