Dielectric properties of polystyrene and some polychlorostyrenes from 4°K to room temperature

Abstract

Abstract Dielectric measurements of carefully purified specimens of polystyrene and poly(2,3,4 or 3,4‐chlorostyrene) have been obtained at audio frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 20 kHz and at temperatures between 4 and 300°K. Each of the samples exhibits a dielectric loss maximum in the range 15–50°K. The temperature of the maximum loss decreases with the addition of a substituent which lowers the symmetry of the pendant phenyl group. The results are explained by a model which invokes a coupling mechanism between two distinct modes of side group motions. This same model also explains some results of previously reported measurements of mechanical losses in similar polymers.