Structure and phase behavior of the poly(ethylene oxide)-thiourea complex prepared by electrospinning

Electrospinning was used for the first time to prepare nanofibers of the host/guest complex between poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and thiourea. It is shown by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) that the stoichiometry of the complex is (EO)(12)-(thiourea)(8), settling a series of conflicting values in literature reports. The complex crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell with a = 9.15 A, b = 18.88 A, c = 8.25 A, and beta = 92.35 degrees. On the basis of WAXD, infrared spectroscopy, and polarized Raman scattering measurements, it is proposed that the complex adopts a layered structure in which alternating PEO and thiourea layers are stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. This structure is highly reminiscent of that of the beta complex between PEO and urea. A phase diagram was determined and shows that the complex melts incongruently at 110 degrees C to form a peritectic liquid and crystals of pure thiourea. The nanofibers of the PEO-thiourea present a very large molecular orientation with a (c) value of 0.76, among the largest reported for electrospun materials.