Confined crystallization behavior of PEO in organic networks

Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly (trimethopropane trimethacrylate) (PTM PTMA) interpenetrate networks have been synthesized. The confined crystalli zation behavior of PEO in the PTMTYTMA networks has been investigated by a differential scanning calorimeter and scanning electron microscope. The deg ree of PEO crystallinity in PEO/PTMPTMA interpenetrate networks reduces wit h the increase of PTMPTMA. PEO is in an amorphous state when the concentrat ion of PEO is lower than 50% in the interpenetrate networks system. The mel ting points of crystalline PEO in the networks are lower than that of pure PEG, and the melting point of PEO in the networks is higher and increases w ith the increase of PEO in the interpenetrate networks. Wide-angle X-ray di ffraction results show that the PEO crystallite size perpendicular to the ( 120) plane is not affected as much as PEO in silica networks. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.