I was watching a video about self-siphoning poly(ethylene glycol) gels. Then I found that typically these PEGs have a molecular weight over a million. I was wondering why the PEGs with such high molecular weights are liquids?? Shouldn't they be solids?? I have a bottle of PEG600 and it's a solid substance already...It won't flow until it's heated up...
Dear Eric Dickson, you are talking about polyethylene oxide (PEO). PEGs have generally MWs less say 20.000g/mol, where the OH end groups still have significant effect on chain structure and properties. PEGs below MWs of 1000 are either liquids or wawy, on the other hand above this threshold they are solids whether PEGs or PEOs. PEO are called so because the chains are so long (high MWs) so that end groups have minor or negligeable effects.
Now, I think the video you have seen deals with solutions of PEO in appropriate solvants. My Regards
High molecular weight PEG are solid in nature. You have to heat it or dissolve in any solvent to get into liquid form
Abdelkader BOUAZIZ , thanks for your helpful answer.
Avinash Kumar , I see, thanks.
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