Water diffusion and hydrolysis effect on the structure and dynamics of epoxy-anhydride networks

Abstract

Epoxy-anhydride networks have been analyzed in terms of water uptake and degradation behavior by means of broadband dielectric spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. It has been found that water absorption produces a chemical reaction in the polymer networks, in turn causing a plasticizing effect and changing their mechanical properties. We demonstrate that a non invasive dielectric spectroscopy analysis of the segmental dynamics can be performed in order to quantitatively describe the degradation effects, as well as their influence in the mechanical properties at the nanoscale.