A review of thermal methods used for the analysis of the crystal form, solution thermodynamics and glass transition behaviour of polyethylene glycols

The uses, properties and structure of polyethylene glycols are discussed, with particular emphasis on pharmaceutical considerations. The applications of thermal techniques in the characterisation of these materials in the solid or molten states and in aqueous solution are described. More specifically, the uses of differential scanning calorimetry, solution calorimetry, modulated differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis and dielectric spectroscopy are outlined and the relative merits of the techniques discussed.