Dielectric Relaxation in Cellulose and its Derivatives

The relaxation processes in cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose were studied by dielectric spectroscopy. The dielectric spectra for these polysaccharides were measured in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz and in the temperature range from 100 to 450 K. The dielectric relaxation data for cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose were described by Arrhenius and Eyring equations and interpreted as due to a local motion of chain segments via the glucosidic linkages, so-called β-relaxation. The same relaxation process was also determined for the hydroxypropyl cellulose polymer in the temperature range of 240–270 K. At higher temperature in hydroxypropyl cellulose another relaxation mechanism occurs due to the reorientation of the side chain built of a few hydroxypropylene groups. The activation parameters of the observed dielectric relaxation processes were determined.