Transitions of crystalline 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene by thermally stimulated current

The present paper reports the results of thermally stimulated current TSC spectroscopy on 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (TCTMB). We have investigated the relaxation phenomena between liquid nitrogen temperature and 80°C covering the two stable solid phases III and IV. The phase behaviour of TCTMB is very complicated because the phase transitions are dependent both on temperature and on time in addition to the thermal history of the specimen. A series of TSC complex spectra corresponding to different thermal history has been performed. Results are discussed in relation to the corresponding structure as determined by X-ray diffraction and are compared with differential scanning calorimetry data reported in the literature