PEO

In 0.1 M NaCl both molecular weight samples of PEO depress the cac, to about 1 mM (relative to 1.4 mM in the absence of polymer), but the relative depression is much less than in the absence of salt. 

Figure C2.3.18. Vibronic peak fluorescence intensity ratio (III/I) as a function of SDS concentration for 0.1 % PEO solutions o, —35 000 Daltons —600 000 Daltons). Open symbols are for aqueous solution without added salt, and filled symbols are for 100 mM aqueous NaCl. Reproduced with pennission from figure 2 of [111].

Mortensen K 1996 Structural studies of PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers, their micellar aggregates and mesophases a small-angle neutron scattering study J. Phys. Condens Matters A103-A104... 

Poly(ethylene oxide). The synthesis and subsequent hydrolysis and condensation of alkoxysilane-terniinated macromonomers have been studied (39,40). Using Si-nmr and size-exclusion chromatography (sec) the evolution of the siUcate stmctures on the alkoxysilane-terniinated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomers of controlled functionahty was observed. Also, the effect of vitrification upon the network cross-link density of the developing inorganic—organic hybrid using percolation and mean-field theory was considered. 

The successfiil synthesis of a transparent soHd polymer electrolyte (SPE) based on PEO and alkoxysilanes has been reported (41). The material possessed good mechanical properties and high electrical conductivity (around 1.8 x 10 S/cm at 25°C) dependent on the organic—inorganic ratio and PEO chain length. 

Poly(ethylene oxide) [25322-68-3] (PEO) is a water-soluble, thermoplastic polymer produced by the heterogeneous polymerization of ethylene oxide. The white, free-flowing resins are characterized by the following stmctural formula ... 

Only Japan and the United States have significant commercial faciUties for the production of poly(ethylene oxide) resins. In Japan, Meisei Chemical Works Ltd. produces Alkox and Sumitomo Seika Kagaky Co., Ltd., PEO. In the United States, Union Carbide Corp. produces Polyox. Precise figures have not been released on capacities or aimual production. 

In the paper industry, PEO is widely used as a retention aid and pitch control agent in the newsprint industry (118—135). Typically, a phenol formaldehyde-type resin is added to the substrate before the addition of PEO. The chemical that is added before PEO has been referred to as an enhancer. Recent pubHcations on designing enhancers that work with PEO have resulted in expanding the use of PEO in flocculation of several substrates (128,129). 

Binders in Ceramics, Powder Metallurgy, and Water-Based Coatings of Fluorescent Lamps. In coatings and ceramics appHcations, the suspension rheology needs to be modified to obtain a uniform dispersion of fine particles in the finished product. When PEO is used as a binder in aqueous suspensions, it is possible to remove PEO completely in less than 5 min by baking at temperatures of 400°C. This property has been successfully commercialized in several ceramic appHcations, in powder metallurgy, and in water-based coatings of fluorescent lamps (164—168). 

Detergents and Lotions. The addition of PEO provides a silky feel to soHd and Hquid products. This unique lubricious property has been successfully exploited in formulation of razor strips (169) and in shampoos, detergents, and other personal-care appHcations. Eormulations are available from the manufacturers. 

Adhesives. High concentration (>10%) solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) exhibit wet tack properties that are used in several adhesive appHcations. The tackiness disappears when the polymer dries and this property can be successfully utilized in appHcations that require adhesion only in moist conditions. PEO is also known to form solution complexes with several phenoHc and phenoxy resins. Solution blends of PEO and phenoxy resins are known to exhibit synergistic effects, leading to high adhesion strength on aluminum surfaces. Adhesive formulations are available from the manufacturers. 

Construction. The addition of PEO to concrete has been a subject of several iavestigations (172). Research studies and patent Hterature suggests that PEO can be used as a pumping aid to concrete where the lubricity of PEO allows concrete to be pumped to longer distances (173—176). In addition, PEO is also used to disperse the water more uniformly ia the concrete mixture that promotes better uniformity of the concrete mixture. Eormulations ia the constmction industry are proprietary and not easily available. 

Other Applications. PEO has also been used as an antistat additive (178,179), water-soluble packaging material of seeds and fertilizers (180), and rheology modifier in aqueous flexographic printing inks (qv) (181). 

Poly(ethylene oxide)—Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Copolymers. The poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PEO/PET) copolymers were first described in 1954 (40). This group of polymers was developed in an attempt to simultaneously reduce the crystallinity of PET, and increase its hydrophilicity to improve dyeabiHty. PEO/PET copolymers with increased PEO contents produce surfaces that approach zero interfacial energy between the implant and the adjacent biological tissue. The coUagenous capsule formed around the implant is thinner as the PEO contents increase. The stmcture of a PEO/PET copolymer is shown below ... 

A family of PEO/PET copolymers has been synthesized and the characterized stmctures found to be close to those expected in theory (41). A wide degradation envelope has been achieved by adjusting the PEO-to-PET ratio. Mechanical properties prove useful for medical appHcations, and the 60/40 PEO/PET composition is reported as optimal. 

Poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) yields truly compatible blends with poly(vinyl acetate) up to 20% PEMA concentration (133). Synergistic improvement in material properties was observed. Poly(ethylene oxide) forms compatible homogeneous blends with poly(vinyl acetate) (134). The T of the blends and the crystaUizabiUty of the PEO depend on the composition. The miscibility window of poly(vinyl acetate) and its copolymers with alkyl acrylates can be broadened through the incorporation of acryUc acid as a third component (135). A description of compatible and incompatible blends of poly(vinyl acetate) and other copolymers has been compiled (136). Blends of poly(vinyl acetate) copolymers with urethanes can provide improved heat resistance to the product providing reduced creep rates in adhesives used for vinyl laminating (137). 

A second type of soHd ionic conductors based around polyether compounds such as poly(ethylene oxide) [25322-68-3] (PEO) has been discovered (24) and characterized. These materials foUow equations 23—31 as opposed to the electronically conducting polyacetylene [26571-64-2] and polyaniline type materials. The polyethers can complex and stabilize lithium ions in organic media. They also dissolve salts such as LiClO to produce conducting soHd solutions. The use of these materials in rechargeable lithium batteries has been proposed (25). 

A second class of important electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries are soHd electrolytes. Of particular importance is the class known as soHd polymer electrolytes (SPEs). SPEs are polymers capable of forming complexes with lithium salts to yield ionic conductivity. The best known of the SPEs are the lithium salt complexes of poly(ethylene oxide) [25322-68-3] (PEO), —(CH2CH20) —, and poly(propylene oxide) [25322-69-4] (PPO) (11—13). Whereas a number of experimental battery systems have been constmcted using PEO and PPO electrolytes, these systems have not exhibited suitable conductivities at or near room temperature. Advances in the 1980s included a new class of SPE based on polyphosphazene complexes suggesting that room temperature SPE batteries may be achievable (14,15). 

Finally, we want to describe two examples of those isolated polymer chains in a sea of solvent molecules. Polymer chains relax considerably faster in a low-molecular-weight solvent than in melts or glasses. Yet it is still almost impossible to study the conformational relaxation of a polymer chain in solvent using atomistic simulations. However, in many cases it is not the polymer dynamics that is of interest but the structure and dynamics of the solvent around the chain. Often, the first and maybe second solvation shells dominate the solvation. Two recent examples of aqueous and non-aqueous polymer solutions should illustrate this poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) [31]... 

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