End-Group Effect on Crystallization ofPoly(ethylene Oxide) Blends

Abstract

The effects of end groups (1OH-1CH3, 2OH, 2CH3, 2NH2) of Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on miscibility, crystallization behavior, and morphology of binary crystalline blends of PEG/Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were investigated. Miscibility and Flory interaction parameter χ12 in different blend systems were derived with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) according to depression of equilibrium melting point. Crystal growth rate of PEO was analyzed with polarizing optical microscope (POM), which led to the calculation of folding chain surface free energy of PEO in different blend systems. Overall crystallization rate of PEG was also studied after the crystallization of PEO. Effects of end groups were also investigated with Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).