Analysis of phase separation behaviour in the system poly(ethylene oxide)-water☆

Abstract Heterophase regions have been located in the phase diagram of the system high-molecular-weight poly(ethylene oxide)-water; binodals of type liquid-liquid (from turbidity spectra) and liquid-crystal (liquidus-1, determined by DTA) were found. Heterophase behaviour is typical for the practically important dilute and moderately concentrated polymer solutions ( c =0·1 to 5 g/dl) within the temperature interval 20 to 50°C. A solubility curve (liquidus-2) has been found for particles corresponding to a small fraction of well-developed polymer crystallites present in the system.