DIELECTRIC STUDIES OF HETEROGENEOUS PHASE POLYMER SYSTEMS - POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) INCLUSIONS IN POLYCARBONATE - A MODEL SYSTEM

Dielectric measurements are reported on a series of model sandwich structures which mimic heterophase polymer systems which have been studied in an attempt to explore the possible use of this technique for morphological characterization. The model system consists of a polycarbonate sheet into which have been introduced a large number of small diameter holes, which are in turn filled with air, poly(ethylene oxide), and triflate-doped poly(ethylene oxide). A comparison is made between the dielectric behavior of this model system and that of a similar structure in which the same volume fraction of the conducting phase is incorporated in terms of a single hole. Measurements are also reported on pure poly(ethylene oxide) in the form of pressed and molded disks. In all cases, good agreement was found between the predictions of the simple Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars theory and experimental observation. This study illustrates the potential of dielectric measurements in the investigation of conducting occlusions in a nonconducting matrix and opens up the possibility of the investigation of heterophase systems.