Molecular Dynamics of Functional Azide-Containing Acrylic Films

A report on the syntheses, thermal, mechanical and dielectric characterizations of two novel polymeric acrylic materials with azide groups in their pendant structures is presented. Having the same general structure, these polymers differ in length of oxyethylene units in the pendant chain [-CONH-CH₂CH₂-(O-CH₂CH₂)_nN₃], where n is 1 (poly(N-(2-(2-azidoethoxy)ethyl)methacrylamide), PAzMa1) or 2 (poly(N-2-(2-(2-azidoethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)methacrylamide), PAzMa2), leading with changes in their dynamics. As the thermal decomposition of the azide group is observed above 100 °C, dielectric analysis was carried out in the temperature range of -120 °C to 100 °C. Dielectric spectra of both polymers exhibit in the glassy state two relaxations labelled in increasing order of temperature as γ- and β-processes, respectively. At high temperatures and low frequencies, the spectra are dominated by ohmic conductivity and interfacial polarization effects. Both, dipolar and conductive processes were characterized by using different models. Comparison of the dielectric activity obtained for PAzMa1 and PAzMa2 with those reported for crosslinked poly(2-ethoxyethylmethacrylate) (CEOEMA) was performed. The analysis of the length of oxyethylene pendant chain and the effect of the methacrylate or methacrylamide nature on the dynamic mobility was analysed.