Infrared Studies of Chain Folding in Polyethylene Oxide

A large number of additional peaks, some observed for the first time, appear in the ir spectra of polyethylene oxide when run at liquid-nitrogen temperatures. These peaks are sensitive to molecular weight, thermal history of the sample, and the temperature at which spectra are run. The peaks are attributed to vibrational modes due to sequences of rotational isomers, which are present in the fold. Although presently regular and irregular folds cannot be distinguished, the possibility of these peaks arising from cilia, or interlamellar links has been discounted.