ATOMIC-STRUCTURE OF SOLID AND LIQUID POLYETHYLENE OXIDE

The structure of polyethylene oxide (PEO) was investigated by neutron scattering in both semicrystalline and liquid states. Deuterated sampl es were studied in addition to the protonated ones in order to avoid t he large incoherent scattering of hydrogen and identify features in th e pair correlation functions attributable to C-H pairs. Analysis of th e deuterated sample gave additional information on the C-O and C-C pai rs. The results are compared with molecular-dynamics simulations of li quid PEG. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(98)51440 -7].