Cyclodextrin-induced suppression of the crystallization of low-molar-mass poly(ethylene glycol)

Hamley, I. W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4549-0926 and Castelletto, V. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3705-0162 (2024) Cyclodextrin-induced suppression of the crystallization of low-molar-mass poly(ethylene glycol). ACS Polymers Au, 4 (4). pp. 266-272. ISSN 2694-2453 doi: 10.1021/acspolymersau.4c00024

Abstract/Summary

We examine the effect of alpha-cyclodextrin (αCD) on the crystallization of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) [poly(ethylene oxide), PEO] in low-molar-mass polymers, with Mw = 1000, 3000, or 6000 g mol–1. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and simultaneous synchrotron small-/wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) show that crystallization of PEG is suppressed by αCD, provided that the cyclodextrin content is sufficient. The PEG crystal structure is replaced by a hexagonal mesophase of αCD-threaded polymer chains. The αCD threading reduces the conformational flexibility of PEG and, hence, suppresses crystallization. These findings point to the use of cyclodextrin additives as a powerful means to tune the crystallization of PEG (PEO), which, in turn, will impact bulk properties including biodegradability.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/116323
Identification Number/DOI	10.1021/acspolymersau.4c00024
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF) Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Chemistry
Publisher	American Chemical Society
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