Molecular Dynamics in Cyclic Olefin Copolymer

Nuclear magnetic resonance, broadband dielectric spectroscopy and dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis were employed to study molecular dynamics of ethylene-norbornene copolymer. The analysis of experimental data indicates existence of three motional processes denoted as α, β, and γ in order of decreasing temperature. The α relaxation is related to the dynamic glass transition, while the β relaxation, observed only for the untreated sample, is assigned to short range segmental motions involving norbornene units. The γ relaxation is due to very local motions of ethylene units e.g. trans-gauche isomerization, similar to those responsible for γ relaxation in polyethylene. The rate of motion accountable for γ process, follows the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equation, similarly to α transition, indicating cooperative nature of the motion.