OBSERVATIONS OF CRYSTALLIZATION AND MELTING IN POLY(ETHYLENEOXIDE) POLY(METHYLMETHACRYLATE) BLENDS BY HOT-STAGE ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY/

The binary blend of poly(ethylene oxide)/atactic poly(methyl methacryl ate) is examined using hot-stage atomic-force microscopy (AFM) in conj unction with differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. It was found possible to follow in real time the melting process, whi ch reveals itself to be nonuniform. This effect is ascribed to the pre sence of lamellae having different thicknesses. The crystallization pr ocess of poly(ethylene oxide) from the miscible melt is also followed in real time by AFM, affording detailed images of the impingement of a djacent spherulites and direct observation of lamellar growth and subs equent polymer solidification in the interlamellar space. (C) 1998 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Inc.