Molecular weight‐dependence of free volume in polystyrene studied by positron annihilation measurements

Abstract

AbstractPositron annihilation lifetime measurements are reported for four monodisperse polystyrenes with molar mass M = 4,000, 9,200, 25,000, and 400,000. The temperature dependences of orthopositronium (o‐Ps) lifetime (τ3) and intensity (I3) were measured from 5°C to Tg + 30°C for each sample. From these data, the free volume hole size, 〈vf(τ3)〉, and fractional free volume hps=CI3〈vf(τ3)〉 were calculated. The temperature dependences of τ3, 〈vf(τ3)〉 and hps show a discrete change in slope at an effective glass transition temperature, Tg,ps, which is measurably below the conventional bulk Tg. This suggests that τ3 is sensitive to large holes which retain their liquid‐like mobility in the glassy state. Good agreement was found for T > hg,ps between hps and the theoretical free volume fraction hth deduced from experimental P‐V‐T data for polystyrene using the statistical mechanical theory of Simha and Somcynsky. Below Tg,ps, deviations between hps and hth are observed, hps falling increasingly below hth as temperature decreases. Whereas hps and hth depend strongly on M in the melt, each essentially independent of M in the glass. A free volume quantity, computed from the bulk volume, which is in good numerical agreement with the Simha‐Somcynsky h‐function in the melt, gives improved agreement with hps in the glassy state. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.