Analysis of deuterium NMR spectra of probe chains diffusing in a stretched polybutadiene network

Polybutadiene network was swollen with short perdeuterated network-like chains (PBD). Deuterium NMR spectra of these probe chains are measured as the rubber matrix is uniaxially elongated. Due to the presence of two kinds of deuterons (methylene and ethylene) and two possible configurations of monomer units (cis and trans) in PBD chains, composite NMR spectra are observed and analysed. They evidence for different orientational behaviour of cis and trans units. ‘Rod-like’ motional behaviour of the trans units leads to higher degree of orientational order than for the cis units.