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Structural and thermal characterisation of poly(ethylene oxide) blends with calcium alginate

Modification of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was carried out by adding calcium alginate (CaAlg), as a natural polymers, to prepare new polymer blends that can be potentially used as polymer electrolyte in Ca batteries. The samples were prepared by extrusion in twin-screw extruder that has circulation channel, so the homogeneity of materials as well as defined composition was achieved. Structural features, in terms of crystalline structure and interaction between components of the blends, have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR-microscopy), respectively. It is interesting that alginate didn’t change crystalline structure of PEO even though it interacts with PEO through the hydrogen bond. Thermal properties and thermal stability were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). The addition of CaAlg in PEO has the most pronounced influence on the crystallisation from the melt. It postpones it, and as the content of alginate increases, it is more pronounced. However, the degree of crystallinity remained high and in the range from 59 to 73%, too high for desired purpose. PEO/CaAlg degrades in three degradation stages with a slight shift of PEO degradation stage to a lower temperature than pure PEO.

poly(ethylene oxide), calcium alginate, XRD, FTIR-microscope, DSC, TG

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