Characterization of ionic conduction and electrode polarization relaxation processes in ethylene glycol oligomers

• Published in: Polymer bulletin (Berlin, Germany) Germany), 2008-05, Vol.60 (5), p.689-700
• Main Authors: Sengwa, R. J., Sankhla, Sonu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Complex Fluids and Microfluidics; Electrical, magnetic and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Organic Chemistry; Organic polymers; Physical Chemistry; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer Sciences; Properties and characterization; Soft and Granular Matter
• ISSN: 0170-0839; 1436-2449
• DOI: 10.1007/s00289-008-0892-z

The complex relative dielectric function, dielectric loss tangent, electric modulus, alternating current electrical conductivity and impedance spectra of ethylene glycol oligomers (EGOs) i.e., ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and poly(ethylene glycol)s of average molecular weight 200, 300, 400 and 600 g mol -1 have been investigated in the frequency range 20 Hz to 1 MHz at 25 °C. These EGOs show the low frequency dielectric/electrical dispersion due to electrode polarization and ionic conduction effects. The ‘master curves representation’ of the real and imaginary parts of the intensive dielectric/electrical functions were used to evaluate the relaxation times corresponding to these effects processes. The comparative dielectric study of EGOs confirms that the values of low frequency relaxation times and direct current electrical conductivity are influenced by the chain flexibility and its random coiling.