Optical and thermal properties of poly(ethylene oxide) doped with MnCl2 salt

Abstract The optical and thermal properties of prepared poly(ethylene oxide)/MnCl2 films were studied as a function of MnCl2 concentration at room temperature. The observed optical energy gap (Eopt) and energy gap tail (ΔE) were determined from the measured absorption spectra. It was found that the optical energy gap decreases with MnCl2 concentration, and the absorption coefficient reduces sharply at concentration of 5 wt% MnCl2 compared with the neat PEO. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement shows that the heat of fusion increases with the MnCl2 concentration, while the melting point decreases. Correlation between the observed optical energy gap and heat of fusion is presented.