In situ monitoring of chemical reactions in and molecular dynamics of model compounds by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy

We have investigated a set of small molecules, which, in terms of chemical groups and overall molecular architecture, are representative of several of the more complex epoxide/amine network-forming systems. The static and dyn amic dielectric relaxation properties of selected model compounds are obtai ned and discussed. The static properties are of interest for their relation to the fundamental material property, the dipole moment. From this relatio n, the potential for the determination of the chemical composition of react ive mixtures via an additivity of group dipole moments is explored. Dipole dynamics of the model compounds are determined and are related to cooperati ve molecular and submolecular motions in these simple molecules and it is s hown how these findings may be extended to complex polymer networks compose d of chemically similar moieties.