Phase transition study of tert-butyl alcohol from dielectric studies

Dielectric permittivity, ε′, and loss factor, ε″/ε′, of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) have been measured in the temperature range from 282 K to 323 K and at spot frequencies 0.7,25,60 and 100 MHz in cooling and heating cycles. Refractive index and d.c. conductivity of the sample have also been measured. Both ε′ and ε″ exhibit a sharp transition at a temperature below its freezing temperature in the cooling cycle. Height of the potential barrier of phase transformation between the solid and liquid phases is found to be 1.5 eV. Variation of ε′ (or ε″) with temperature in cooling and heating cycles shows a hysterisis like behaviour.