On the high temperature TSDC peak in poly(epsilon-caprolactone)

The high temperature dielectric relaxation process, observed above the glas s transition temperature in poly(epsilon-caprolactone) is studied by Therma lly Stimulated Depolarization Currents experiments. The characterization is made by using the windowing polarization technique, decomposing the comple x high temperature relaxation into Debye-like peaks. The profile of each pe ak is then analyzed by using a general kinetic order model, and the origin of the complex relaxation is discussed through the analysis of the paramete rs obtained from the best fit to the model. The distribution of the trap de pths is obtained and their activation energies is found to vary from 0.8 to 1.2 eV. The space charge accumulation is mainly responsible for this relax ation mode in poly(epsilon-caprolactone). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.