Local mobility in grafted polydimethylsiloxane melts

Spin–lattice relaxation time constants, T1, were studied for low-molecular-weight linear and grafted polydimethylsiloxane over a wide temperature and frequency range. Quantitative evaluations of proton T1 measurements indicated two relaxation processes: anisotropic rotation of methyl groups around the Si–C bond (low temperature process) and motions of the PDMS side-chains connected with the glass transition (high temperature process). Additional analyses of the T1 relaxation dispersion profiles revealed specific local segment fluctuation times, which are characteristic of the coherent motions in the grafted polymer chains.

Schematic structure of randomly grafted PDMS.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide