Comments on the interpretation of temperature dependence of processes in polymers

Abstract

The interpretation of the results of thermal measurements followed over decades the Arrhenius law. In recent years an apparently different interpretation (Eyring's equation) has been emerging in the literature on polymers. As the main reason for this, a direct connection to material properties has been claimed. The paper shows some weak points in the Eyring theory and in its application as well. Firstly, the parameters of the two equations are mathematically convertible to each other. Thus Eyring's conceptual quantities (entropy and enthalpy of activation) give no new physical information. Secondly, the Eyring theory postulates an equilibrium for the activated state. In the case of processes, however, in which change is an inherent characteristic, this assumption seems to be unjustified.