Poly(ethylene oxide)

Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) is a crystalline thermoplastic polymer. It is usually available over a wide range of molecular weights; the higher molecular weight entities are called poly (ethylene oxide), poly-oxyethylene or polyoxirane.

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PEO may be used to afford PEO-salt complexes which are act as polymeric electrolytes to be used for alkali metal rechargeable batteries. PEO-polyester micelles have been reportedly used for drug delivery. PEO hydrogels have been reported to be used for culture media, replacing agar. Cross-linked PEO may be used for drug delivery and blood filtration. Compounds form association complexes with high molecular weight PEO; for example:

• bromine combines with PEO in controlled release,
• carboxymethyl dextran and carechol tannis form complexes with PEO to act as adhesives,
• copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride form complex with PEO for its use in microencapsulation of non aqueous inks.

Industrially, PEO may be used to modify bituminous emulsion in paving compositions and as a dispersant for calamine lotion.