Relaxational behavior of birefringence of aqueous carboxymethylcellulose under an alternating electric field at frequencies ranging from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz.

The d. c. component of birefringence of aqueous carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) under an a. c. electric field was measured at frequencies ranging from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz. Three samples of different molecular weights were studied with varying degree of neutralization, polymer concentration and added salt concentration. The dispersion curve of birefringence consists of three relaxation bands, A, B and C in order of decreasing frequency. Relaxation B with a negative relaxation strength is ascribed to end-over-end rotation of almost rodlike CMC molecules. Relaxation A with a positive strength is attributed to the relaxation of electrical polarizability along the minor axis of molecule. Relaxation C possesses also a positive strength and is induced by clusters of CMC molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]