Hoffman-Lauritzen parameters for non-isothermal crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(ethylene oxide) melts

Summary By applying an advanced isoconversional method to DSC data one can evaluate a dependence of the effective activation energy (the temperature coefficient of the growth rate) on the relative extent of melt crystallization. The conversion dependence can further be converted into a temperature dependence and parameterized in terms of the Hoffman-Lauritzen equation. For poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) we observe a transition from regime I to II. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) crystallization appears to begin in regime II and then undergoes 2 consecutive changes that however cannot be clearly interpreted as regime III. The K_g and _e parameters obtained for regime I and II (PET) and regime II (PEO) are consistent with the respective parameters reported for isothermal crystallization.     

Poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(ethyl methacrylate) blends: Crystallization,melting behavior,and miscibility

Results of an investigation of isothermal crystallization and thermal behavior of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEO/PEMA) blends are reported. The blend composition and the crystallization temperature strongly influence the crystallization process from the melt and the melting temperature of PEO. The addition of PEMA to PEO causes a depression in the spherulite growth rate, in the overall kinetic crystallization constant, and in the melting temperature. Experimental data on the radial growth rate G and overall kinetic rate constant K_n are analyzed by means of the latest kinetic theory. From this analysis it emerges that the crystallization of pure PEO and PEO in the blend conforms to the regime I process of surface secondary nucleation. The depression of the melting temperature cannot be explained only in terms of a diluent effect due to the compatibility of the two components in the melt. Annealing and morphological effects, dependent on composition and time, must also be taken into account.     

Influence of crystallization temperature,molecular weight,and additives on the crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The spherulite growth rate, the maximum spherulite radius, and the overall rate of crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PETP) were measured by means of scattering and transmission of depolarized light. The influence of crystallization temperature, molecular weight, and additives on the above-mentioned quantities was investigated. An expression has been derived for the spherulite growth rate of PETP as a function of crystallization temperature and the number-average molecular weight for M?_n in the range of 19,000 to 39,000.     

Crystallization kinetics of crosslinkable polymer complexes of novolac resin and poly(ethylene oxide)

Results of a study on the isothermal crystallization and thermal behavior of both uncured and hexamine-cured novolac/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) complexes are reported. The crystallization behavior of PEO in complexes is strongly influenced by factors such as composition, crystallization temperature, complexation, and crosslinking. The time dependence of the relative degree of crystallinity at high conversion deviated from the Avrami equation. The cured complexes exhibited an obvious two-stage crystallization (primary crystallization and crystal perfection), and this was more evident at higher crystallization temperature and high PEO-content. The addition of a noncrystallizable component into PEO caused a depression of both the overall crystallization rate and the melting temperature. In general, complexation and curing resulted in an increase in the overall crystallization rate. Complexation and curing are beneficial to the nucleation of PEO. Additionally, curing led to changes of the nucleation mechanism. Experimental data on the overall kinetic rate constant K_n were analyzed by means of the nucleation and crystal growth theory. For uncured complexes, the surface free energy of folding, σ_e, increased with increasing novolac content, whereas for cured complexes, σ_e displayed a maximum with the variation of composition. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2726–2736, 1999     

Kinetics of radiation-induced graft polymerization of styrene onto poly(ethylene oxide)

The graft polymerization of styrene onto preirradiated poly(ethylene oxide) was studied. From the measurement of swelling of the polymer in various solvents the solubility parameter of poly(ethylene oxide) was estimated as 9.3. The kinetic analysis of the reaction indicated that the graft polymerization was diffusion controlled. Kinetic parameters of the reaction such as \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\int_0^t {R_i} dt,k_{p,} k_{tr}$\end{document}, and k_t were obtained in poly(ethylene oxide)-styrene system and compared with those in poly(isobutylene oxide)-styrene system.     

Crystallization of isotactic polystyrene from dilute solutions

The overall rate of crystallization of isotactic polystyrene from dilute solutions, 1% by weight, in trans-decalin and benzyl alcohol was studied as a function of temperature using dilatometry. These solvents were chosen because the dissolution temperatures of crystalline isotactic polystyrene are practically the same in both solvents. The overall rate of crystallization as a function of crystallization temperature showed a maximum in both solvents at about 50°C. At lower crystallization temperatures the rate of crystallization is much lower. The overall rate of crystallization of isotactic polystyrene in benzyl alcohol is far larger than in trans-decalin at the same undercooling throughout the temperature range, which is in apparent contradiction to present crystallization theories. At very large undercooling (T_c lower than about 0°C) the solutions of isotactic polystyrene in both solvents quickly become “rigid” gels. Surface replicas of freeze-etched gels indicate that a fringed micelle type of crystallization takes place at these low temperatures. The transition from folded chain crystallization to fringed micelle crystallization may be due to a stiffening of the polymer chain below about 50°C, with a reduced rotational mobility of the phenyl groups on the chain. If very dilute solutions, below 0.5% by weight, are crystallized at these low temperatures no gels were formed but fibrous crystals are produced which could be observed under the polarizing microscope.     

Use of thermal analysis techniques for examining blow-molded pet bottle specimens

Eight samples from different areas of stretch-blow-molded poly(ethylene terephthalate) [PET] bottles, including a PET resin control, were tested by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA). The glass transition temperature (T _g) was found to linearly decrease about 6C from zero to 45 percent initial crystallinity. Measurements ofT _c (crystallization temperature, DSC) and film tension modulus (TMA) were related to crystallization rate during stretch-blow-molding. The TMA linear coefficients of thermal expansion and shrinkage were shown to be important for blow-molding temperature control.     

The effect of prior crystallinity on the flow-induced crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide)

After flowing in a dilatometer bulb for a small fraction of the duration of the transformation, a relaxed melt of poly(ethylene oxide) (M?_n = (5.9 ± 0.1) × 10³) showed marked increases in isothermal crystallization rate. The extent of increase was greater when flow was imposed at modestly later stages rather than at the earliest stage of a crystallization. Kinetic parameters for the flow-induced crystallizations were obtained via modification of the conventional mathematical treatment of the kinetics of phase change, thereby allowing the analytical resolution of the overall process into flowinduced and quiescent components. Determination of the flow-induced crystallization parameters required independent determination of the kinetic parameters for quiescent crystallizations at that temperature. The Avrami exponents n_f which characterized the flow-induced portions of the crystallizations were larger for those instances in which flow was imposed at the more advanced stages of the crystallizations, thus indicating a transition in crystallization mechanism. It is suggested that prior crystallinity present at the time of flow contributed to the crystallization by serving as a source of nucleation sites. However, in light of the experimental procedure employed, values of n_f approximating 4 that were obtained are not susceptible to mechanistic interpretations now extant.     

Crystallization and melting behavior of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(n-butyl methacrylate) blends

The phase diagram, crystallization and melting behavior of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA) blends have been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. The results show that the blends are miscible up to 85 °C and show an lower critical solution temperature-type demixing at a higher temperature. The isothermal crystallization studies of the blends indicate a reduction in the overall rate of crystallization. Analysis of isothermal crystallization data by means of Avrami equation leads to average values of the Avrami index of 2.5 for pure PEO and 3.0 for the different blend compositions. The melting behavior of the blends reveals double endotherms, which is ascribed to both secondary crystallization and recrystallization. The melting point depression study yielded χ₁₂=0, indicating a relatively low interaction strength.     

Heterogeneous nucleation of crystallization of high polymers from the melt. II. Aspects of transcrystallinity and nucleation density

In the initial stage of the development of transcrystallinity, nuclei appear sporadically on the substrate. The growth rate and melting temperature of the transcrystalline region are found to be the same as those of spherulites nucleated in the bulk of the polymer. Nucleation densities n_s at the interface, and n_b in bulk, for the crystallization of isotactic polypropylene, poly(ethylene oxide), and poly(butene-1) in contact with various substrates, have been measured by counting the number of spherulites generated. Despite variations in the results from various causes, the quantities n_s and n_s/n_b are useful parameters for characterizing the nucleating ability of various substrates.     

Phase Behavior of Polymer Blends

The present report deals with some results on phase behavior, miscibility and phase separation for several polymer blends casting from solutions. These blends are grouped as the amorphous polymer blends, blends containing a crystalline polymer or two crystalline polymers. The blends of PMMA/PVAc were miscible and underwent phase separation at elevated temperature, exhibited LCST behavior. The benzoylated PPO has both UCST and LCST nature. For the systems composed of crystalline polymer poly(ethylene oxide) and amorphous polyurethane, of two crystalline polymers poly(-caprolactone) and poly[3,3,-bis-(chloromethyl) oxetane], appear a single T_g, indicating these blends are miscible. The interaction parameter B's were determined to be –14 J cm^–3, –15 J cm^–3 respectively. Phase separation of phenolphthalein poly(ether ether sulfone)/PEO blends were discussed in terms of thermal properties, such as their melting and crystallization behavior.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Use of model compounds to determine equilibrium melting points of polymers

Evidence is given for the relationship describing the approximate dependence of the observed melting points T_m of oligomers on their degree of polymerization n, and its use in determining the equilibrium melting point T^°_m of the extended chain crystal and the heat of fusion Δh. Polyethylene and the n-alkanes, poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(methylene oxide), polyphenylene and other systems are considered.     

Enhancement of photoinduced intramolecular cross-cycloaddition of α-(9-anthryl)-ω-(1-naphthoyl) end-labeled poly(ethylene glycol) via lipophobic interactions and complexation with metal cations

The fluorescence spectra and photocycloadditions of poly(ethylene glycol) labeled at the chain termini with one 9-anthryl and one 1-naphthoyl group (N-P_n-A) both in non-polar and polar solvents in the presence of alkali-metal cations have been investigated. Lipophobic interactions in non-polar solvents and complexation of the polyether with cations in polar solvents force the two terminal groups of N-P_n-A into proximity, and irradiation of the solutions produces intramolecular photocyclomers to the exclusion of intermolecular products.     

Sphere‐to‐Rod Transition of Micelles formed by the Semicrystalline Polybutadiene‐block‐Poly(ethylene oxide) Block Copolymer in a Selective Solvent

We present a morphological study of the micellization of an asymmetric semicrystalline block copolymer, poly(butadiene)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide), in the selective solvent n‐heptane. The molecular weights of the poly(butadiene) (PB) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blocks are 26 and 3.5 kg · mol⁻¹, respectively. In this solvent, micellization into a liquid PEO‐core and a corona of PB‐chains takes place at room temperature. Through a thermally controlled crystallization of the PEO core at −30 °C, spherical micelles with a crystalline PEO core and a PB corona are obtained. However, crystallization at much lower temperatures (−196 °C; liquid nitrogen) leads to the transition from spherical to rod‐like micelles. With time these rod‐like micelles aggregate and form long needles. Concomitantly, the degree of crystallinity of the PEO‐cores of the rod‐like micelles increases. The transition from a spherical to a rod‐like morphology can be explained by a decrease of solvent power of the solvent n‐heptane for the PB‐corona chains: n‐Heptane becomes a poor solvent at very low temperatures leading to a shrinking of the coronar chains. This favors the transition from spheres to a morphology with a smaller mean curvature, that is, to a cylindrical morphology.

     

Crystallization kinetics of the monoclinic modification of poly(3,3-dimethyl oxetane)

Poly(3,3-dimethyl oxetane) fractions ranging in number average molecular weights from 18500 to 130000 have been isothermally crystallized from the relaxed melt state in the temperature range from 12 to 44 °C, where only the monoclinic modification is formed. The influence of molecular weight and undercooling in crystallization kinetics has been analyzed. The level of crystallinity is very slightly dependent on molecular weight but the influence of this parameter on the time scale of the crystallization is relatively pronounced. The crystallization temperature coefficient was determined and it was found a constant value of the product of the interfacial energies in the range of molecular weights which has been analyzed. Growth rate measurements were carried out for fraction ¯M _n=130000 and it was found that the temperature coefficients for overall and growth rates are equal. Finally, the comparison of the experimental results for this polymer with those reported for poly(oxetane) shows two main differences: first, the crystallization rate is slower for poly(3,3-dimethyl oxetane) and second, the temperature coefficient is smaller for this polymer.     

Study of molecular motion of block copolymers in solution by high-resolution proton magnetic resonance

Molecular motions of hydrophobic–hydrophilic water-soluble block copolymers in solution were investigated by high-resolution proton magnetic resonance (NMR). Samples studied include block copolymers of polystyrene–poly(ethylene oxide), polybutadiene–poly(ethylene oxide), and poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide). NMR measurements were carried out varying molecular weight, temperature, and solvent composition. For AB copolymers of polystyrene and poly(ethylene oxide), two peaks caused by the phenyl protons of low-molecular-weight (M?_n = 3,300) copolymer were clearly resolved in D₂O at 100°C, but the phenyl proton peaks of high-molecular-weight (M?_n = 13,500 and 36,000) copolymers were too broad to observe in the same solvent, even at 100°C. It is concluded that polystyrene blocks are more mobile in low-molecular-weight copolymer in water than in high-molecular-weight copolymer in the same solvent because the molecular weight of the polystyrene block of the low-molecular-weight copolymer is itself small. In the mixed solvent D₂O and deuterated tetrahydrofuran (THF-d₈), two peaks caused by the phenyl protons of the high-molecular-weight (M?_n = 36,000) copolymer were clearly resolved at 67°C. It is thought that the molecular motions of the polystyrene blocks are activated by the interaction between these blocks and THF in the mixed solvent.     

Isoconversional Approach to Evaluating the Hoffman–Lauritzen Parameters (U* and Kg) from the Overall Rates of Nonisothermal Crystallization

Summary: An equation has been derived that correlates the temperature coefficient of the growth rate with the temperature dependence of the effective activation energy of the overall crystallization rate, which can be measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The dependence is evaluated by using an advanced isoconversional method and is parameterized in terms of the Hoffman–Lauritzen equation. The parameters obtained for the nonisothermal crystallization of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) melt are consistent with the parameters reported for isothermal crystallization.

The fit of the equation derived here is shown for data corresponding to the dependence of the effective activation energy on average temperature (fit = solid line).     

Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and theta temperature of aqueous solutions of nonionic surface active agents of various polyoxyethylene chain lengths

Cloud points of aqueous solutions of homogeneous poly(oxyethylene)dodecyl ether derivatives (C₁₂(OE)_n: n=2–8) and the apparent theta temperatureT ^ap were determined from the abrupt changes in optical transmittance and the temperature dependence of the second virial coefficient obtained by light scattering measurements. It was found that the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) shifts to a lower temperature and lower concentration as the number of oxyethylene units in a molecule decreases. Because of this behavior of LCST, the modified Flory-Schultz plot of phase separation was applied to the present nonionic surfactant-water system, and its theta temperature obtained. The dependence ofT ^ap on the number of oxyethylene units suggests that the polyoxyethylene chain has different effects on the solubility of C₁₂(OE)_n in water forn less than or equal to 3 from those forn greater than or equal to 4.     

Crystallization and structure formation in polymer blends with strong intermodular interactions: blends of poly(ethylene oxide) and styrene-hydroxystyrene copolymers

Time-resolved synchrotron wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments were used to investigate crystallization behavior and microstructure development of a nearly monodisperse poly(ethylene oxide) [PEO] (M_w = 53,500), and its melt-miscible blends with two fractionated styrene - hydroxystyrene random copolymers [SHS]. PEO crystallization rates decrease significantly in the presence of the melt-miscible SHS copolymers. All low and high molecular weight SHS blends exhibit a crystallization process at relatively short times characterized by large Avrami exponents (n), followed by a dominant process with n near that of neat PEO. A model for the crystallization of these blends is proposed.     

Configurational properties of aromatic polyesters: Dipole moments of poly(diethylene terephthalate) chains

Dielectric constants have been determined for a fraction of poly(diethylene terephthalate) in benzene at several temperatures. The data indicate that the dipole moment ratio 〈μ²〉/Nm² is somewhat higher than that of poly(ethylene oxide), and its temperature coefficient is in the vicinity of zero. Both the dipole ratio and its temperature coefficient are in very good agreement with those predicted by the rotational isomeric state theory. Using this theory, the unperturbed dimensions of poly(diethylene terephthalate) were calculated and it was found that (〈r²〉/M)_∞ = 0.80 Ų (g mol wt)^?1, a value intermediate between those of poly(ethylene oxide) (0.57) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (1.05).