Samples of poly(vinyl alcohol) a doped with hydrous cobalt chloride (5
-30%) were prepared by casting. Dielectric measurements were performed
at various temperatures and frequencies in order to investigate the e
ffect of CoCl2 doping on the relative permittivity (epsilon') and diel
ectric loss factor (tan delta) of the polymer. The absorption peaks in
the tan delta/T spectra were analysed and interpreted. The low temper
ature loss peak was attributed to the cooperative rotational motions o
f dipole groups within the main chain and the high temperature loss pe
ak to segmental diffusional motion in the amorphous parts of the polym
er. Calculated relaxation times and activation energies are discussed
in terms of the increase in the inter- and intramolecular interactions
due to CoCl2 addition.