Dynamics and Structure of Poly(ethylene oxide) Intercalated in the Nanopores of Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Resin Nanoparticles

The incorporation of high-molecular-weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in the nanopores of resorcinol-formaldehyde resin nanoparticles (RNPs) leads to the suppression of polymer crystallization, changes in the chain conformation, and a noticeable slowdown of the two dielectric relaxations that reflect the segmental and local PEO dynamics. Both relaxations are significantly slower than those corresponding to bulk PEO. These results are independent of the pore characteristics of the different RNP materials. The segmental relaxation shows a crossover at ca. 220 K in its temperature dependence from non-Arrhenius to Arrhenius-like behavior on cooling. These results suggest the occurrence of limited cooperativity at low temperatures due to the enhancement of long-living hydrogen bonding between PEO and RNP pore walls.