Modulated differential scanning calorimetry in the glass transition region

Temperature-modulated calorimetry (TMC) allows the experimental evaluation of the kinetic parameters of the glass transition from quasi-isothermal experiments. In this paper, model calculations based on experimental data are presented for the total and reversing apparent heat capacities on heating and cooling through the glass transition region as a function of heating rate and modulation frequency for the modulated differential scanning calorimeter (MDSC). Amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is used as the example polymer and a simple first-order kinetics is fitted to the data. The total heat flow carries the hysteresis information (enthalpy relaxation, thermal history) and indications of changes in modulation frequency due to the glass transition. The reversing heat flow permits the assessment of the first and higher harmonics of the apparent heat capacities. The computations are carried out by numerical integrations with up to 5000 steps. Comparisons of the calculations with experiments are possible. As one moves further from equilibrium, i.e. the liquid state, cooperative kinetics must be used to match model and experiment.On leave from Toray Industries, Inc., Otsu, Shiga 520, Japan.This work was supported by the Division of Materials Research, National Science Foundation, Polymers Program, Grant # DMR 90-00520 and the Division of Materials Sciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U. S. Department of Energy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp. for the U. S. Department of Energy, under contract number DE-AC05-96OR22464. Support for instrumentation came from TA Instruments, Inc. Research support was also given by ICI Paints, and Toray Industries, Inc.     

Temperature memory effect and its stability revealed via differential scanning calorimetry in ethylene‐vinyl acetate within glass transition range

In this article, we reveal the temperature memory effect (TME) in a commercial thermoplastic polymer, namely ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA), within its glass transition range via a series of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) tests. In addition, we investigate the influence of heating holding time and also compare the observed TME in current study with that of shape memory alloys (SMAs). It is concluded that the TME via DSC (without any macroscopic shape change) is achievable within the glass transition range of a polymer. Conversely, although the observed TME shares the many similar features as those in SMAs, due to the nature of micro‐Brownian motion in the glass transition of polymers, the resulted TME is strongly affected by the heating holding time. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1731–1737     

Glass transition temperature of thin polycarbonate films measured by flash differential scanning calorimetry

Flash differential scanning calorimetry was used to study the glass transition temperature T_g of polycarbonate ultrathin films. The investigation was made as a function of film thickness from 22 to 350 nm and over a range of cooling rates from 0.1 to 1000 K/s. Polycarbonate spin cast films were floated on a layer of grease on the calorimetric chip. The results show a greatly reduced glass temperature for the thinnest films relative to the macroscopic value. We also observed that the magnitude of the glass temperature reduction decreases as the cooling rate increases with the highest cooling rates showing little thickness dependence of the T_g. Dynamic fragility and activation energy at T_g were found to decrease with decreasing film thickness. The results are discussed in the context of literature reports for supported and freely standing polycarbonate films. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 1462–1468     

The application of modulated differential scanning calorimetry to the glass transition

The modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) technique superimposes upon the conventional DSC heating rate a sinusoidally varying modulation. The result of this modulation of the heating rate is a periodically varying heat flow, which can be analysed in various ways. In particular, MDSC yields two components (reversing and non reversing) of the heat flow, and a phase angle. These each show a characteristic behaviour in the glass transition region, but their interpretation has hitherto been unclear. The present work clarifies this situation by a theoretical analysis of the technique of MDSC, which introduces a kinetic response of the glass in the transition region. This analysis is able to describe all the usual features observed by MDSC in the glass transition region. In addition, the model is also able to predict the effects of the modulation variables, and some of these are discussed briefly.Financial support has been provided by the DGICYT (Project no.PB93/1241). J.M.H. wishes to acknowledge financial assistance for a sabbatical period from the Generalitat de Catalunya.     

Modulated differential scanning calorimetry in the glass transition region

Temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) is based on heat flow and represents a linear system for the measurement of heat capacity. As long as the measurements are carried out close to steady state and only a negligible temperature gradient exists within the sample, quantitative data can be gathered as a function of modulation frequency. Applied to the glass transition, such measurements permit the determination the kinetic parameters of the material. Based on either the hole theory of liquids or irreversible thermodynamics, the necessary equations are derived to describe the apparent heat capacity as a function of frequency.Presented in part at the 24th Conference of the Northamerican Thermal Analysis Society, San Francisco, CA, September 10–13, 1995.     

Note on the glass transition temperature of Poly(vinylphenol)

Critical overview of literature data on the glass transition temperature T_g of poly(4-vinylphenol) PVPh revealed a large scatter of values ranging between 53 and 194 °C, which can only partially be attributed to molecular-mass effect. The reason could be seen in residual moisture and/or solvent in samples subjected to insufficient or even no drying. Based on selected two thirds of literature data, a regression equation is proposed for the dependence of T_g on 1/M_n. Two samples of commercial PVPh (M_n 11,500; M_w 22,100) and (M_n 19,700; M_w 40,900) were studied by DSC, ATR-FTIR, and SEC methods. A procedure of preparing well defined samples is proposed: PVPh vacuum-dried at 140 °C for 24 h is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran and precipitated in hexane. The precipitate is vacuum-dried at 40 °C for 24 h, weighed into a pierced DSC pan. After final vacuum drying at 140 °C for 24 h, the sample is analyzed. The PVPh samples treated in this way showed T_g of 175.0 °C and 179.6 °C, respectively.     

Effect of temperature on the intrinsic viscosity of poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends in aqueous solutions

In this work the intrinsic viscosity of poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends in aqueous solutions were measured at 283.1–313.1 K. The expansion factor of polymer chain was calculated by use of the intrinsic viscosities data. The thermodynamic parameters of polymer solution (the entropy of dilution parameter, the heat of dilution parameter, theta temperature, polymer–solvent interaction parameter and second osmotic virial coefficient) were evaluated by temperature dependence of polymer chain expansion factor. The obtained thermodynamic parameters indicate that quality of water was decreased for solutions of poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends by increasing temperature. Compatibility of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends were explained in terms of difference between experimental and ideal intrinsic viscosity and solvent–polymer interaction parameter. The results indicate that the poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends were incompatible.     

Glass transition investigated by a combined protocol using thermostimulated depolarization currents and differential scanning calorimetry

Relaxation times of bisphenol A polycarbonate around the glass transition temperature are estimated using the combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermostimulated depolarization currents (TSDC). These measurements are performed using samples with different thermal histories below and above the vitrification transformation. This protocol enables the extension of the range of equilibrium relaxation times measured by dielectric spectroscopy. By this mean we may recalculate the values of the Kauzmann temperature and fragility index.     

Determination of the glass transition temperature of polystyrene,poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(methyl methacrylate) using gas chromatography

The glass transition temperatures, Tg, of polystyrene, poly (vinyl chloride) and poly(methyI methacrylate) have been determined from gas chromatographic measurements using n-hexane, n-heptane, meta-xylene and para-xylene solvents. The glass transition temperatures were detected on the z-shaped retention diagrams which were produced from the plot of the logarithm of the specific retention volumes of the above-mentioned solvents against the reciprocal of temperature, i.e. log V${}_{\text{g}}^{\text{º}}$ vs. 1/T. The glass transition temperature is specified by the temperature where the slope of log V${}_{\text{g}}^{\text{º}}$ vs. 1/T changes abruptly. The observed glass transition temperature of polystyrene produced by this technique was found to be in good agreement with those produced by other techniques such as the differential scanning colorimeter. The industrial importance of the glass transition temperature, T_g, might be due to the dramatic changes in the physical properties of the polymer, such as hardness and elasticity, which take place in the vicinity of this temperature. However, perfectly crystalline polymers do not exhibit glass transitions, because their chains are incorporated in regions of three-dimensional order, called crystallites. Completely amorphous polymers and semi-crystalline polymers usually exhibit both glass transition and melting.     

聚乙二醇-聚L-丙交酯嵌段共聚物结晶形貌研究

用偏光显微镜和原子力显微镜对比研究了PEG-PLLA嵌段共聚物在110℃或120℃等温结晶后的结晶形貌.发现在110℃时只有PEG5000-PLLA2300和PEG5000-PLLA6300在偏光显微镜下呈现环带球晶形貌,在原子力显微镜高度图中显示明显的环带,并具有交替凸凹起伏形貌.而PEG5000-PLLA12000球晶中没有出现环带形貌而是生成了规则的环线.在120℃时,PEG5000-PLLA12000的球晶中才生成了规则的环带图案,原子力显微镜也显示了其球晶具有明显的交替凸凹起伏形貌,说明过冷度直接影响环带球晶的生成.产生周期性凸凹起伏和明暗交替消光是由片晶沿着球晶的半径方向周期性扭转造成的,片晶在凸起部分是Edge-on取向,在凹下部分是Flat-on取向.     

Compatibility and phase structure of binary blends of poly(lactic acid) and glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly(ethylene octane)

This work study is the compatibility, phase structure, and component interaction of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly(ethylene octane) (GMA-g-POE denoted as mPOE) blend by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), respectively. All the binary blend compositions exhibit two distinct glass transition temperatures corresponding to the mPOE-rich and PLA-rich phases, respectively. Moreover, these two peaks approach each other with increasing mPOE content, indicating partial compatibility between the PLA and mPOE. Chemical reactions between the end carboxyl groups of the PLA and epoxy groups of the mPOE are considered as the driving force of the enhanced compatibility. They lead to an increase in viscosity of the blends and a decrease in the structural symmetry of PLA. This result brings about a decrease in the spherulite growth rate and the degree of crystallinity. Glass transition temperature (T_g) depression of mPOE is attributed to the negative pressure imposed on the dispersed rubber phase, resulting from differential contraction due to the thermal shrinkage mismatch upon cooling from the melt state. The negative pressure in the dispersed particles, in turn, would cause a dilational effect for the matrix ligament between the particles, and therefore increases the ductility and toughness of PLA.     

Modulated differential scanning calorimetry in the glass transition region. V. Activation energies and relaxation times of poly(ethylene terephthalate)s

Temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry is used to evaluate the kinetics of the glass transition from measurement of the first harmonic of the apparent, reversing heat capacity. The data are taken from quasi-isothermal experiments with negligible instrument lag, extrapolated to zero modulation amplitude. Equations based on irreversible thermodynamics that can be understood in terms of the hole theory of liquids are applied to measurements on amorphous, semicrystalline, and biaxially drawn poly(ethylene terephthalate)s (PET). The activation energy of amorphous PET decreases from 328 to 153 kJ/mol on crystallization and to 111 kJ/mol on orientation, and is correlated with an increase in the preexponential factor. After annealing of the crystallized samples below the glass transition temperature, the activation energy of the semicrystalline PET can recover beyond the level of amorphous PET, to 387 kJ/mol. The earlier observed decrease in enthalpy relaxation on crystallization is linked to this sharp decrease in activation energy. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Determination of poly(ethylene glycol)s by both normal-phase and reversed-phase modes of high-performance liquid chromatography

A normal-phase HPLC system using an amino column has been developed to characterise oligomers of poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) of average M_r 400 to 2000 with derivatisation by dinitrobenzoate. Normal-phase HPLC with gradient elution using ternary solvents of hexane, dichloromethane and methanol has produced a baseline resolution for oligomers of PEG 400, 600 and 1000, while PEG 1000 and 2000 were analysed by using binary solvents of acetonitrile and water. Mixtures of PEGs have been determined by these HPLC systems. PEG 400 in a textile finish has also been determined with satisfactory recovery. It has been found that the hydroxyl group of solvents in normal-phase HPLC plays an important role in resolution and retention of PEG oligomers. Derivatisation efficiency for PEGs by dinitrobenzoyl chloride and quantitative determination of derivatised PEGs by HPLC have been studied. A reversed-phase (RP) mode of HPLC was examined for determination of PEG 400 oligomers. The normal-phase system provided greater resolution for oligomers of PEGs.     

Drying dissipative structures of aqueous solution of poly(ethylene glycol) on a cover glass, a watch glass, and a glass dish

Drying dissipative structures of aqueous solution of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of molecular weights ranging from 200 to 3,500,000 were studied on a cover glass, a watch glass, and a glass dish on macroscopic and microscopic scales. Any convectional and sedimentation patterns did not appear during the course of drying the PEG solutions. Several important findings on the drying patterns are reported. Firstly, the crystalline structures of the dried film changed from hedrites to spherulites as the molecular weight and/or concentration of PEG increased. Secondly, lamellae were formed along the ring patterns especially at high concentrations and high molecular weights. The coupled crystalline patterns of the spherulites and the lamellae were observed in a watch glass along the ring structures, supporting the important role of the convection by the gravity during the course of dryness. The coupled patterns were difficult to be formed on a cover glass and a glass dish, except at the outside edge of the dried film. Thirdly, the size of the broad ring at the outside edge of the dried film especially on a cover glass and a watch glass increased sharply as the molecular weight increased and also as the polymer concentration increased. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Interaction between poly(ethylene glycol) and water as studied by differential scanning calorimetry

The interaction between poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and water was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC curves of PEG–water systems were classified into three groups according to the difference in molecular weight. The melting peaks of eutectic mixture appeared for PEG with molecular weight higher than 1000. The eutectic point temperature shifted to higher temperatures and the eutectic point composition shifted to lower concentrations of PEG with increasing molecular weight. The maximum hydration number per ethylene glycol (EG) unit was estimated as 1.6, 2.4, and 3.3 for samples with molecular weights 400, 1540, and 70,000, respectively. No thermal change was found in PEG1540‐water system for a narrow weight fraction range of 0.585–0.605 for overall measuring temperatures due to perfect supercooling. The glass transition temperature shifted to higher temperatures with increasing molecular weight of PEG. A modified Flory–Huggins equation was used to fit curves for experimental liquidus data in phase diagrams. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 496–506, 2001     

Physical aging and glass transition of hairy nanoparticle assemblies

Matrix free assemblies of polymer-grafted, “hairy” nanoparticles (aHNP) exhibit novel morphology, dielectric, and mechanical properties, as well as providing means to overcome dispersion challenges ubiquitous to conventional polymer-inorganic nanocomposite blends. Physical aging of the amorphous polymer glass between the close-packed nanoparticles (NPs) will dominate long-term stability; however, the energetics of volume recovery within the aHNPs is unknown. Herein, we compare glass transition temperature (T_g) and enthalpy recovery of aHNPs to NP-polymer blends, across different nano-silica loadings (0–50 v/v%) and canopy architecture of polystyrene (PS) grafted silica. For aHNPs, the grafting of PS to silica imposes an additional design constraint between silica volume fraction, graft density, and graft molecular weight. At low and intermediate silica volume fraction, the T_g of blended nanocomposites is independent of silica content, reflecting a neutral polymer-NP interface. For aHNPs, the T_g decreases with silica content, implying that chain tethering decreases local segment density more than the effect of molecular weight or polymer-NP interactions. Additionally, the T_g of the aHNPs is higher than a linear matrix of comparable molecular weight, implying a complementary effect to local segment density that constrains cooperativity. In contrast, enthalpy recovery rate in the blend or aHNP glass is retarded comparably. In addition, a cross-over temperature, T_x, emerges deep within the glass where the enthalpy recovery process of all nanocomposites becomes similar to linear unfilled matrices. Differences between structural recovery in aHNP and blended nanocomposites occur only at the highest silica loadings (∼ 50 v/v%), where enthalpy recovery for aHNPs is substantially suppressed relative to the blended counterparts. The absence of physical aging at these loadings is independent of brush architecture (graft density or molecular weight of tethered chains) and indicates that the impact of chain tethering on effective bulk structural relaxation starts to appear at particle-particle surface separations on the order of the Kuhn length. Overall, these observations can be understood within the context of how three separate structural characteristics impact local segment density and relaxation processes: the dimension and architecture of the tethered polymer chains, the separation between NP surfaces, and the confinement imposed by chain tethering and space filling within the aHNP. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 319–330     

Synthesis and properties of polymer brushes composed of poly(diphenylacetylene) main chain and poly(ethylene glycol) side chains

Novel cylindrical polymer brushes consisting of poly(diphenylacetylene) main chain and poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether monomethacrylate) (PPEGMA) side chains were synthesized by the diphenylacetylene macromonomer or side chain initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether monomethacrylate (PEGMA) from an bromo isobutyryl-bearing poly(diphenylacetylene) (poly(BrDPA)) method. The diphenylacetylene macromonomer, namely, DPA-PPEGMA, were prepared by the ATRP of PEGMA from bromo isobutyryl-bearing diphenylacetylene. DPA-PPEGMA was polymerized successfully with WCl₆-Ph₄Sn catalyst to give high molecular weight polymer brushes poly(DPA-PPEGMA). Meanwhile, polymer brushes (PDPA-g-PPEGMA) were obtained by ATRP of PEGMA from poly(BrDPA). The molecular weight of the side chains of PPEGMA could be controlled simply by modulating the ATRP time. The macromonomer and polymer brushes are soluble in nonpolar solvents such as toluene and chloroform. The polymers of poly(BrDPA) and poly(DPA-PPEGMA) absorb in the longer wavelength region, with two peaks at around 370 and 414 nm. The polymers are thermally stable and exhibit double crystallization and melting peaks during the cooling and heating scans.     

Glass transition of polymers confined to nanoporous glasses

The glassy dynamics of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and poly(methyl phenyl siloxane) (PMPS) confined to nanoporous glasses (pore sizes 2.5–20 nm) investigated by dielectric spectroscopy, temperature modulated DSC and neutron scattering is compared. For both systems the relaxation rates estimated from dielectric spectroscopy and temperature modulated DSC agree quantitatively indicating that both experiments sense the glass transition.For PPG the glassy dynamics in nanopores is determined by a counterbalance of an adsorption and a confinement effect where the temperature dependence of the relaxation times obeys the Vogel/Fulcher/Tammann (VFT-) equation. The former effect results from an interaction of the confined macromolecules with the internal surfaces which in general slows down the molecular dynamics. A confinement effect leads to an acceleration of the segmental dynamics compared to the bulk state and points to an inherent length scale on which the glassy dynamics takes place. The step of the specific heat capacity c_p at the glass transition vanishes at a finite length scale of 1.8 nm. This result supports further the conception that a characteristic length scale is relevant for glassy dynamics.For PMPS down to a pore size of 7.5 nm the temperature dependence of the relaxation times follows the VFT-dependence and a confinement effect is observed like for PPG. At a pore size of 5 nm this changes to an Arrhenius-like behavior with a low activation energy. At the same pore size c_p vanishes for PMPS. This points to a dramatic change in the character of molecular motions responsible for glassy dynamics and supports further the relevance of a characteristic length scale on which it takes place.Quasielastic neutron scattering experiments on PMPS reveal that the microscopic dynamics characterized by the mean square displacement depends on confinement above the glass transition. The diffusive character of the relevant molecular motions seems to disappear at a length scale of about 1.6 nm.     

Ionic transport studies on (PEO)6:NaPO3 polymer electrolyte plasticized with PEG400

Conduction characteristics of the poly(ethylene oxide) based new polymer electrolyte (PEO)₆:NaPO₃, plasticized with poly(ethylene glycol) are investigated. Free standing flexible electrolyte films of composition (PEO)₆:NaPO₃ + x wt.% PEG₄₀₀ (30 ? x ? 70) are prepared by solution casting method. A combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies have indicated enhancement in the amorphous phase of polymer due to the addition of plasticizer. Further, a reduction in the glass transition temperature observed from the DSC result has inferred increase in the flexibility of the polymer chains. The cationic transport number (t_Na⁺) of 0.42 determined through combined ac-dc technique has confirmed ionic nature of conducting species. Ionic conductivity studies are carried out as a function of composition and temperature using complex impedance spectroscopy. The electrolyte with maximum PEG₄₀₀ content has exhibited an enhancement in the conductivity of about two orders of magnitude compared to the host polymer electrolyte. The complex impedance data is analyzed in conductivity, permittivity and electric modulus formalism in order to throw light on transport mechanism. A solid state electrochemical cell based on the above polymer electrolyte with a configuration Na|SPE|(I₂ + acetylene black + PEO) has exhibited an open circuit voltage of 2.94 V. The discharge characteristics are found to be satisfactory as a laboratory cell.