Dielectric Dispersion of Poly(ε-N-carbobenzoxy L-lysine) and Related Poly(α-amino acid)s in the Solid State

Dielectric measurements were performed for poly(ε-N-carbobenzoxy L-lysine) (PCLL), a blended sample of PCLL and poly (γ-benzyl D-glutamate) (PBDG) (PCLL+PBDG), and a copolymer of ε-N-carbobenzoxy L-lysine and γ-benzyl L-glutamate (PCLBG). In each sample, a dielectric dispersion due to the onset of large scale motion of the side chain was observed at about 50°C. These dispersion temperatures were higher than that of PBLG. This is contrary to the expectation that the increasing degree of freedom of motion due to the side chain of the CLL-residue, which is longer than that of the BLG-residue, may lower the dispersion temperature. A strong interaction was assumed to exist between side chains of PCLL. Infrared spectroscopic measurements revealed that the urethane groups in CLL-side chains are hydrogen-bonded. Fractions of hydrogen bonds of the side-chains of PCLL, PCLL+PBDG, and PCLBG were estimated from the results of infrared spectroscopy. There is a qualitative agreement with the results of dielectric measurements.