Heterogeneous nucleation on the crystallization poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with disodium terephthalate (DST) as nucleating agent was investigated. A detailed analysis of the crystallization course from the melt was made with the Avrami expression. The results demonstrated that DST additive can promote the PET crystallization rate in its entire crystallizable temperature range, and the acceleration degree of DST decreases with increasing temperature after a temperature higher than 180 °C. The values of the Avrami exponent indicated that the crystallization mode in Avrami theory is not suitable for the crystallization of these polymers, and the mechanism of the heterogeneous nucleation on PET crystallization is discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2135–2144, 2003     

Block copolymers of poly(ethylene terephthalate–polybutylene terephthalate). I. Preparation and crystallization behavior

Block copolymers of two crystallizable compounds, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), were developed with PET as the major component and the amount of PBT varying from 1.0 to 20.0 wt %. These block copolymers were prepared by end-group coupling of preformed oligomers. All polymers prepared were of equivalent molecular weight as determined by the intrinsic viscosity method. Thermal properties were determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). With increasing PBT content, the block copolymers showed a general decrease in the values of glass transition temperature, melting temperature, initial decomposition temperature, and maximum decomposition temperature. The heat of fusion and heat of crystallization first increased and then decreased slightly. Rates of crystallization were determined by measuring density as a function of time of isothermal crystallization carried out at 95°C. It was found that small amounts of PBT increased the crystallization rate considerably over that of PET. Random copolymers did not show this phenomenon and behaved more like pure PET. The crystallization behavior of block copolymers was analyzed by the Avrami equation and Avrami exponents were determined. Results were explained on the basis that the faster-crystallizing PBT blocks crystallized first and provided built-in nucleation sites for the subsequent crystallization of PET, thus resulting in a relatively fast-crystallizing copolyester.     

Calorimetric study of blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) and liquid crystalline copolyester

A calorimetric study of blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-p-oxybenzoate), PET/PHB, with poly(butylene terephthalate), PBT has been carried out in the form of as-spun and drawn fibres. DSC melting and crystallization results show that PBT is compatible with LCP and the crystallization of PBT decreases by the addition of LCP in the matrix. The crystallization behaviour of blend fibres is investigated as a function of temperature of crystallization. A detailed analysis of the crystallization course has been made utilizing the Avrami expression. The isothermal calorimetric measurements provide evidence of decrease of rate of crystallization of PBT on addition of the liquid crystalline component up to about 50% by weight. The values of the Avrami exponents change in the temperature range from 200° to 215°C. Dimensionality changes in crystallization could be due to LCP mesophase-transition.     

Lamellar‐level morphology induced by combined crystallization and liquid–liquid demixing in a poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene‐2,6‐naphthalate) blend

The lamellar‐level morphology of an extruded poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/poly(ethylene‐2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) blend was investigated with small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). Measurements were made as a function of the annealing time in the melt and the crystallization temperature. The characteristic morphological parameters at the lamellar level were determined by correlation function analysis of the SAXS data. At a low crystallization temperature of 120 °C, the increased amorphous layer thickness was identified in the blend, indicating that some PEN was incorporated into the interlamellar regions of PET during crystallization. The blend also showed a larger lamellar thickness than pure PET. A reason for the increase in the lamellar thickness might be that the formation of thinner lamellar stacks by secondary crystallization was significantly restricted because of the increased glass‐transition temperature. At high crystallization temperatures above 200 °C, the diffusion rates of noncrystallizable components were faster than the growth rates of crystals, with most of the noncrystallizable components escaping from the lamellar stacks. As a result, the blend showed an interfibrillar or interspherulitic morphology. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 317–324, 2002     

磷酸三苯酯对聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯结晶速率的影响

用光学退偏振法和DSC方法研究了聚合过程的助剂磷酸三苯酯(TPP)对聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯(PET)结晶速率的影响。用熔融混入办法将磷酸三苯酯加入PET中,不能降低PET在靠近T_g的低温结晶区的结晶速率。TPP对PET结晶速率影响的特点表明它不是PET的成核剂,而是一个增塑剂。加入TPP后样品的结晶速率可根据T_m和T_g的移动,从纯PET的结晶速率来预测。     

Influence of glass transition temperature of crosslinked unsaturated polyester resin/styrene formulations on the final conversion after an isothermal curing at 100°C

SMC (sheet molding compound) is a composite based on fibers‐reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) resin molded usually at 140°C to 170°C under a pressure of 60 to 100 bars. In order to develop new SMC formulations that can be molded at lower temperature (100°C) for economic and environmental reasons, the formulation of the composite had to be completely modified, both to allow a rapid reaction at 100°C, but also to avoid a vitrification phenomenon due to the fact that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMC parts becomes, during the molding process, higher than the mold temperature. In this paper, the relation between the molding temperature, the glass transition temperature, and the final conversion of UP resin/styrene formulations has been underlined. The Tg of the cured resin was decreased by two different ways. The first way involved the reduction of the crosslinking density of the UP resin by using a blend of two resins, a pure maleic and a more flexible one. This blend allows to adjust the Tg over a temperature range from 197°C (Tg of the pure UP resin) to 75°C (Tg of the pure flexible resin). The second way consisted in the addition of butyl methacrylate (BuMA), a reactive plasticizer, to the formulation, allowing a decrease of the final material's Tg from 197°C to 130°C by replacing 35 wt% of styrene by BuMA. These two methods allow to obtain a final conversion of 99% after 8 minutes of molding at 100°C.     

Isothermal crystallization of concentrated amorphous starch systems measured by modulated differential scanning calorimetry

The slow isothermal crystallization of concentrated amorphous starch systems is measured by Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC). It can be followed continuously by the evolution (stepwise decrease) of the MDSC heat capacity signal (Cp), as confirmed with data from X-ray diffractometry, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and conventional Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Isothermal MDSC measurements enable a systematic study of the slow crystallization process of a concentrated starch system, such as a pregelatinized waxy corn starch with 24 wt % water and 76 wt % starch. After isothermal crystallization, a broad melting endotherm with a bimodal distribution is observed, starting about 10°C beyond the crystallization temperature. The bulk glass transition temperature (T_g) decreases about 15°C during crystallization. The isothermal crystallization rate goes through a maximum as a function of crystallization time. The maximum rate is characterized by the time at the local extreme in the derivative of Cp (t_max), or by the time to reach half the decrease in Cp (t_1/2). Both t_max and t_1/2 show a bell-shaped curve as a function of crystallization temperature. The temperature of maximum crystallization rate, for the system studied, lies as high as 75°C. This is approximately 65°C above the initial value of T_g. Normalized Cp curves indicate the temperature dependence of the starch crystallization mechanism. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2881–2892, 1999     

Structural Evolution Process in Solvent-Induced Crystallization Phenomenon of Syndiotactic Polystyrene

Structural change has been traced in the solvent-induced crystallization phenomenon of syndiotactic polystyrene through the time-resolved measurements of infrared and Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction. Immediately after the solvent is supplied to the glassy sample, the random coils start a micro-Brownian motion and locally change to short regular helical segments after some induction time. These segments grow longer and gather together to form the crystal lattice. This crystallization occurs even at room temperature far below the original glass transition temperature (Tg = ca. 100°C), because Tg is shifted to ca. −90°C (in the case of chloroform) due to the plasticizing effect, as revealed by the temperature-dependent infrared spectral measurement and the molecular dynamics calculation. The thus-created sPS-solvent complex was found to show a fast and reversible solvent exchange phenomenon between the originally-existing solvent (toluene, for example) and the newly-supplied different type of solvent (chloroform, for example). The time-dependent measurement of wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scatterings using a synchrotron radiation source revealed that the solvent exchange occurs with keeping both the columnar structure of the crystal and the stacked lamellar structure, and that the solvent exchange rate is in the order of chloroform > benzene > toluene, reflecting the difference in diffusion rate of solvent molecules and polymer-solvent interaction.     

Evaluation of the Effect of Plasma Treatment Frequency on the Activation of Polymer Particles

This study investigates the influence of treatment frequency (1–150 kHz) on the atmospheric plasma activation of both silicone and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles. These polymer particles with diameters in the range 3–5 mm, were treated using either helium or helium/oxygen gas mixtures, in a barrel atmospheric plasma system. The level of polymer particles activation was monitored using water contact angle measurements. The effect of plasma treatment frequency on barrel heating was monitored using an infrared thermographic camera, the maximum barrel temperature after 15 min treatment was found to be 98 °C at a frequency of 130 kHz. Optical emission spectroscopy was used as a diagnostic tool to monitor changes in atomic and molecular species spectral intensity with experimental conditions, as well as a change in electron energy distribution function. Electrical characterisation studies demonstrated an increase in plasma power with increasing frequency, in the range investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicate an increase of oxygen content on polymer surfaces after plasma treatment. For silicone particles, the minimum polymer water contact angle was obtained by using a frequency of 130 kHz. After 15 min treatment time, the water contact angle decreased from 141° to 11°. While for PET particles the optimum treatment frequency was found to be 70 kHz, resulting in a water contact angle decreased from 94° to 32°. This lower frequency was used due to the partial melting of the PET (Tg of 80 °C), when treated at the higher frequency.     

Direct condensation polymerization of lactic acid

In order to synthesize the higher molecular weight poly(lactic acids) by direct condensation polymerization of lactic acid, dipentaerythritol was used as a chain branching agent. Poly(lactic acids) of high molecular weight, 67000(Mn), was obtained by using antimony trioxide catalyst with good color. This poly(lactic acids) showed Tg of 54.8 °C, Tm of 147 °C and cold crystallization temperature of 115 °C. The polymer could be melt processed into transparent films. Tensile modulus of 311 Kg/ mm², tensile strain of 21% and tensile strength of 12.41 Kg/ mm² were obtained for film collected at 400%/min and drawn 4 times.     

Polarized fluorescence spectra of poly(ethylene terephthalate) films

The polarized excitation and fluorescence spectra of lowcrystalline, isotropic poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film samples were measured in the glassy state at room temperature. Whereas the emission anisotropy r₀ of the excitation spectrum, recorded at the fluorescence maximum, changes sharply from 0.35 to 0 with decreasing wavelength in the region around 317 nm, the polarization of the fluorescence spectrum of PET is independent of wavelength. The fluorescence polarization of PET remains constant, if the temperature is increased up to 22 °C above T_g until the light scattering due to the crystallization causes complete depolarization. The photophysical behaviour supports the existence of a dilute solution of groundstate - stable sandwich dimers in the non-crystalline regions of PET.     

Polymeric nature of selenium crystallization. II. Crystallization kinetics and secondary crystallization

The crystallization of elemental selenium has been studied in light of present concepts of crystallization in organic polymers. Bulk-crystallization kinetic data as measured by a dynamic density technique and spherulite growth-rate data as measured by optical microscopy are presented for the temperature range 70°C to 160°C. Plots of extent of isothermal crystallization versus time were sigmoidal in shape. Spherulite growth rates were constant for a given temperature and reached a maximum at approximately 130°C. Evidence is presented for secondary crystallization in selenium, and a model is proposed for destruction of chain folds with interlamellar crystallization during the spherulitic-to-“metallic” transformation above 100°C.     

Chain-folding measurements in annealed poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Chain folding in unoriented poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films has been investigated as a function of annealing time and temperature. To meet this objective dynamic mechanical, infrared, and molecular weight measurements were used, together with selective chemical degradation to remove chain folds and amorphous regions. The β dispersion in the dynamic mechanical spectrum of PET is here tentatively associated with motions of methylene and/or carboxyl groups in irregular chain folds; the β dispersion is not found in quenched amorphous polymer, in polymer where amorphous regions and chain folds have been removed, or in highly annealed PET where the irregular folds have regularized. Upon mild crystallization and annealing (30 min at 110°C) of initially amorphous film a large β dispersion appears and then diminishes upon further annealing at 220°C. As the β dispersion diminishes, the infrared regular fold band increases more than the crystallinity band, indicating regularization of folds. The molecular weight of the degraded residue corresponds approximately to typical fold-period dimensions (～130 Å), and increases on annealing as expected from lamellar thickening. The degradation process has, by fold removal, reduced the chains in the crystals to a very short, uniform length.     

Effects of pressure on the compressibility and crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The effects of pressure on the compressibility and crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) have been investigated. The Instron capillary rheometer was adapted as a high-pressure dilatometer to perform experiments up to 40,000 psi. Compressibilities of solid and molten PET were measured. The increases in compressibility with increase in temperature for the solid state are discussed in terms of free-volume theory. Results obtained for the melt are explained by invoking the second law of thermodynamics and the effect of pressure on the Gibbs free energy. The effects of temperature and compression rate on the pressure of crystallization (P_c) were also studied. As the crystallization temperature was increased from 240 to 286°C, P_c increased by about 16,000 psi. As the compression rate was raised from 1%/min to 8%/min, P_c increased 10,000 psi. At some undetermined compression rate above 8%/min it seemed impossible to induce crystallization in the melt, even with pressures up to 40,000 psi. Analysis of data on the kinetics of crystallization of PET melt under high pressures revealed low Avrami exponents, for which no unequivocal explanation is offered. It is possible, however, that crystallization at high pressure promotes the formation of a morphology made up of a certain percentage of “extended chains.” The alteration in the attendant spatial geometry involved in the crystallization might explain the lower Avrami exponents found. In another set of experiments, crystallization temperatures (T_c) were measured by slowly cooling PET melt under high pressures. As the pressure was raised from 3000 to 15,000 psi, T_c increased from about 246 to 282.5°C. These results are consistent with thermodynamic theory.     

Progress of Polymerization of D,L-Lactide Through Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Gel Permeation Chromatography

Melt polymerization conditions for D,L-lactide initiated with tetraphenyltin were studied with regard to polymer molecular weight. The present study was undertaken to investigate the progress of polymerization of D,L-lactide through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and also to explore the correlation between melt polymerization conditions and molecular weight. The physical characteristics, such as glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer and melting transition (Tm) of D,L-lactide are correlated with GPC data. DSC data shows that the Tm of D,L-lactide is 122.8 at 150°C polymerization time. ΔHf is 83.2 J g-1, and Tg of polymer is untraceable. At 180°C the Tm is 101.4°C, ΔHf is 34 J g-1, and Tg is around 29.5°C. The drop in Tm and ΔHf clearly shows the conversion of D,L-lactide to polymer. The maximum increment to molecular weight of polymer is achieved at 160°C and 8 h. After a short induction period, the slow polymerization of D,L-lactide resulted in maximal molecular weight followed by an almost constant value of molecular weight. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis of a New Liquid Crystalline Polymer as a Highly Active β-Nucleator and Its Effect on Melting and Crystallization Behaviors of Isotactic Polypropylene

A new nematic liquid crystalline polymer as a highly active β-nucleator (LCP-N) of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was synthesized and characterized. The effect of LCP-N on thermal behavior of the iPP was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry. LCP-N showed a melting transition at 85.0°C and a nematic to isotropic phase transition at 278.0°C. The incorporation of LCP-N could lead to substantial changes in the thermal behavior of the iPP. The nucleating activity of LCP-N mainly depended on its content, mesogenic molecular structure, and thermal history of processing. A high content of β-form could be obtained by the combined effect of the optimum LCP-N concentration and crystallization temperature and time. The Φ_β reached 77% when the LCP-N content, crystallization temperature, and crystallization time were 0.4 wt.%, 125°C, and 1 h, respectively.     

Preparation,non-isothermal crystallization,and melting behavior of β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene/poly (ethylene terephthalate) blends

β-nucleated PP/PET blends were prepared using nano-CaCO₃ supported β-nucleating agent (β-NA), PP as matrix, and PET as dispersion phase. The effects of preparation methods, PET content, and melting temperature on the non-isothermal crystallization behavior and the melting characteristic and polymorphic composition of PP in the blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The results indicated that the PP crystallized predominantly in β-modification in the presence of β-NA. However, efficiency of β-NA for PP crystallization decreased with addition of PET and increasing PET contents. The β-nucleation of β-NA for PP crystallization in the blends was dependant on the preparation methods. The high β-nucleation and high β-PP content were obtained for PP/PET blend prepared at the temperature of 265 °C and added the β-NA into the blend at the temperature of 180 °C. However, the addition of β-PP or β-NA into blends at 265 °C decreased the β-nucleation, and no β-PP was formed because the β-NA mainly dispersed on the PET dispersion phase or at the interface between PP and PET.     

Influence of microcrystalline cellulose fiber (MCCF) on the morphology of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)

Biopolymer composites were prepared from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/microcrystalline cellulose fiber (MCCF)/plastiziers/poly(vinyl acetate) by melt extrusion. The morphology, crystal structure, and non-isothermal crystallization of these composites were investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The results of DSC indicate that the addition of small amount of MCCF improved the crystallization rate. Non-isothermal crystallization shows that the composites 1 and 2 have lower crystallization half time (t _{0 .5}) than that of pure PHB. Higher MCCF contents in PHB (composite 4) lead to a decrease in the crystallization rate. POM micrographs show that the MCCF were well dispersed in the PHB matrix and served as a nucleating agent with a strong change in PHB morphology. Increasing the isothermal crystallization temperature above 120 °C, leads to the formation of banded spherulites with large regular band spacing. Decreasing the isothermal crystallization temperature below 100 °C produces more and small spherulites.     

Shear‐enhanced crystallization of a thermoplastic polyimide derived from 3,3′,4,4′‐oxydiphthalic dianhydride and 4,4′‐oxydianiline

The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of consecutive shear on the crystallization of an amorphous aromatic polyimide (PI) derived from 3,3 ′ ,4,4 ′ ‐oxydiphthalic dianhydride (3,3 ′ ,4,4 ′ ‐ODPA) and 4,4 ′ ‐oxydianiline (ODA). At 260 °C, the increase of shear rate or shear time leads to the increase of crystallinity. Indeed, increasing shear rate can also accelerate the crystallization behavior. Moreover, it was found that a new melting peak appeared at higher temperature for long time or high rate sheared sample. The enhancement of crystallization behavior appears directly linked to the increase of crystal thickness. Particularly, the effect of shear temperature was investigated, and the results revealed that the crystallization of the PI was more sensitive to shear at 260 °C, which was 10° above the glass transition temperature (250 °C) of the PI. Possible mechanism was proposed to illustrate the effect of consecutive shear on the crystallization of the PI polymer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2344–2349, 2007     

Morphology and modulus–temperature behavior of semicrystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)

The influence of the thermal history on the morphology and mechanical behavior of PET was studied. The degree of crystallinity (density measurements) and the morphological structure (electron microscopy and small-angle x-ray diffraction) depend on the crystallization temperature. The viscoelastic parameters obtained from the modulus–temperature curves are mainly determined by the morphology of the samples. The glass-transition temperature, T_i, is a function of the crystallinity and the crystallization temperature. It is maximum for a crystallinity between 0.34 and 0.39 for a sample crystallized isothermally between 120 and 150°C. This dependence on crystallization conditions is ascribed to the conformation of the amorphous chain segments between the crystalline lamellae as well as the concentration and the molecular weight of the polymer material rejected during isothermal crystallization. Both factors are supposed to be temperature-dependent. The value of the rubbery modulus is a function of both the volume concentration of the crystalline lamellae and the structure of the interlamellar amorphous regions (chain folds, tie molecules, chain ends, and segregated low molecular weight material). Annealing above the crystallization temperature of isothermally crystallized samples has a marked influence on their morphology and mechanical behavior. The morphological structure and the viscoelastic properties of annealed PET samples are completely different from those obtained with samples isothermally crystallized at the same temperature.