Rheology, crystallization, and thermal stability of poly(ethylene oxide) modified by a novel phenolic resin

A novel phenolic resin (phenolic containing diphenyl oxide [named by MPF]) was synthesized and blended with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). In modified PEO, the shear-thinning behavior appears and shortage modulus (G ') deviates from classic terminal behavior. Compared with PEO, there is an increase in the nucleation rate and a decrease in the growth rate of spherulites in modified PEO. A small amount of MPF plays a role of the nucleating agent of PEO. The addition of MPF into PEO makes the glass transition temperature (T-g) and thermal decomposition temperature (T-d5%) of PEO higher. When the content of MPF is 2%, the T-d5% of MPF/PEO is 346 degrees C, which is much higher than that of pure PEO (240 degrees C). When the content of MPF is 50%, T-g of PEO is up to 26 degrees C, which is 90 degrees C higher than that of pure PEO.