MOLECULAR-DYNAMICS OF NEW THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS BASED ON HYDROGEN-BONDING COMPLEXES - A DEUTERON NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE INVESTIGATION

(4-Carboxyphenyl)-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazolidin-1-yl moieties resulting from 4-(3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazolin-4-yl)benzoic acid (U4A) randomly att ached to 1,4-polybutadiene form supramolecular aggregates which act as effective junction zones in new thermoplastic elastomers. Deuteron nu clear magnetic resonance (H-2 NMR) spectroscopy was used to investigat e the molecular dynamics of the polymer backbone and the junction zone s in selectively labelled samples. The spectra show motional heterogen eity along the polymer chain as well as in the supramolecular domains. Polybutadiene segments which are adjacent to these polar clusters are restricted in their mobility, even at temperatures 100 K above the gl ass transition temperature T(g). The immobilized regions are estimated to involve about two monomeric units. The functional groups in the su pramolecular structures are rigid or exhibit 180-degrees-phenyl flips dependent on their location in the middle or in the edges, respectivel y. Polar units which are not enclosed in the clusters and dispersed in the polymer matrix undergo fast isotropic motions.