Crystal Growth Mechanism Changes in Pseudo-Dewetted Poly(ethylene oxide) Thin Layers

Changes in the crystal growth mechanism were observed in pseudo-dewetted, thin layers of low molecular weight (MW) poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) on a hydrophilic mica surface. The studies were conducted using two PEO fractions (HPEO and MHPEO) with similar MW's (number-average MW of around 4500 g/mol) but different end-group chemistries. For the HPEO, both ends of the chain are capped by −OH groups. For the MHPEO, one end is capped by an −OH …