Emission Spectroscopy and the Molecular Mobility of Polyepoxide Networks

The paper presents the use of phosphorescence spectroscopy to reveal the structure of polyepoxide networks. The emission properties have been studied as a function of the degree of polymerization. The results strongly indicate that the increase in crosslink density proceeds via an inhomogeneous pathway. This statement is confirmed by ESR spectroscopy. The phosphorescence intensity and half-life were measured as a function of temperature for several polyepoxide networks at maximum conversion. Activation energies and transition temperatures have been estimated. These results are compared with data obtained by Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis, showing that both techniques offer supplementary information concerning the mobility and structure characterization of polyepoxide networks.