KINETIC ASPECTS OF THE GLASS-TRANSITION BEHAVIOR OF MALTOSE-WATER MIXTURES

The dependence of viscosity on temperature, determined for a range of maltose water mixtures, is described well by the equation eta = A exp[B/(T - T0)]. Predicted values of the glass-transition temperature (T(g)), where the viscosity has a value of 10(12) Pa.s, were within a few degrees of those obtained experimentally by calorimetry. The activation enthalpy for the relaxation processes in the liquid increased on cooling as T(g) was approached. The maltose water mixtures can be considered as fragile in Angell's classification of the viscous and glass-transition behaviour of liquids.