Crystallization kinetics of polyethylene/paraffin oil blend sheets formed by thermally induced phase separation with different molecular weights of polyethylene

Polyethylene/paraffin oil blend sheets with different molecular weights of polyethylene were prepared by thermally induced phase separation. Isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization behaviors of blend sheets were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Isothermal DSC curves were analyzed by Avrami equation, whereas non-isothermal DSC curves were analyzed by Jeziorny method and Mo method. Effective activation energy (ΔE) of isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization was calculated by Friedman method. Under isothermal condition, value of n in Avrami equation hovered at 2.1, and lgZ increased with the decrease of crystallization temperature. lgZ and ΔE of blend sheets with a larger molecular weight of polyethylene was smaller than that of blend sheets with smaller molecular weight. Under non-isothermal condition, value of n obtained by Jeziorny method hovered at 2.4, close to n of isothermal condition. lgZ _c increased with the increase of cooling rate and decrease of molecular weight of polyethylene. ΔE of different blend sheets were close to each other. Crystal structures of blend sheets formed under non-isothermal condition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. XRD analysis showed that molecular weight of polyethylene and cooling rate had slight influence on crystal structure and crystallinity of polyethylene/paraffin oil blend sheet.     

Morphology, isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(methylene terephthalate)

The morphology of crystals, isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization of poly(methylene terephthalate) (PMT) have been investigated by using polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The POM photographs displayed only several Maltese cross at the beginning short time of crystallization indicating that some spherulites had been formed. The crystal cell belonged to the Triclinic crystal systems and the cell dimensions were calculated from the WAXD pattern. The commonly used Avrami equation and that modified by Jeziorny were used, respectively, to fit the primary stage of isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization. The Ozawa theory was also used to analyze the primary stage of non-isothermal crystallization. The Avrami exponents n were evaluated to be in the range of 2-3 for isothermal crystallization, and 3-4 for non-isothermal crystallization. The Ozawa exponents m were evaluated to be in the range of 1-3 for non-isothermal crystallization in the range of 135-155 °C. The crystallization activation energy was calculated to be −78.8 kJ/mol and −94.5 kJ/mol, respectively, for the isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization processes by the Arrhenius’ formula and the Kissinger’s methods.     

Model-free method for isothermal and non-isothermal decomposition kinetics analysis of PET sample

Pyrolysis, one possible alternative to recover valuable products from waste plastics, has recently been the subject of renewed interest. In the present study, the isoconversion methods, i.e., Vyazovkin model-free approach is applied to study non-isothermal decomposition kinetics of waste PET samples using various temperature integral approximations such as Coats and Redfern, Gorbachev, and Agrawal and Sivasubramanian approximation and direct integration (recursive adaptive Simpson quadrature scheme) to analyze the decomposition kinetics.The results show that activation energy (E_α) is a weak but increasing function of conversion (α) in case of non-isothermal decomposition and strong and decreasing function of conversion in case of isothermal decomposition. This indicates possible existence of nucleation, nuclei growth and gas diffusion mechanism during non-isothermal pyrolysis and nucleation and gas diffusion mechanism during isothermal pyrolysis. Optimum E_α dependencies on α obtained for non-isothermal data showed similar nature for all the types of temperature integral approximations.     

Kinetic compensation effect between the isothermal and non-isothermal decomposition of solids

A “true” kinetic compensation effect was established using the most appropriate kinetic functionF(α) for the non-isothermal decomposition of solids at various heating rates. It is likely that the correct kinetic mechanismF(α) is responsible for the “true” kinetic compensation effect, whereas an inappropriateF(α) would lead to “false” one. An establishment of such a “true” compensation effect between the isothermal and nonisothermal decompositions of a solid implies thatF(α) used is appropriate for both the isothermal and non-isothermal decompositions.     

Glass-forming ability and crystallization kinetics of amorphous palladium-boron alloys

Palladium-boron alloys have been prepared to check their ability to produce metallic glasses when spun from the melt.An amorphous alloy with 31.5 at.% boron obtained in the form of ribbon has been submitted to both isothermal and non-isothermal DSC tests. The isothermal crystallization kinetics have been analyzed according to the Avrami law for phase transformations in solids.The n exponent of the law has been determined to obtain information on the geometrical features of the growing crystals. A confirmation of the calculated n value has been sought through an analysis of non-isothermal DSC peaks     

Nano/micro-scale morphologies of semi-interpenetrating poly(ε−caprolactone)/tung oil polymer networks: Isothermal and non−isothermal crystallization kinetics

The isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of pure poly(ε−caprolactone) (PCL) and its blends with crosslinked tung oil were investigated as a function of composition, crystallization temperature, and heating rate using differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). The PCL/tung oil semi-interpenetrating polymer networks of different compositions were prepared via cationic polymerization of tung oil in the presence of homogenous solutions of PCL. This unique and relatively new in-situ polymerization and compatibilization blending technique created nano/micro-scale morphologies that cannot be obtained with the traditional melt-processing and/or solvent casting methods. Blends with different miscibility, phase behaviors, and morphologies (miscible, partially miscible, and immiscible) were observed as a function of composition with a constant concentration of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFE) cationic initiator. The morphology of the semi-interpenetrating polymer networks was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Miscible blends with a single T_g for PCL ≤ 10 wt.%. were observed. While, on the other hand, partially miscible blends with two distinct T_gs and nanoscale morphologies and average particle sizes as small as 100 nm were observed for blends with 20 ≤ PCL wt.% ≤ 30. Immiscible blends with microscale highly interconnected, co-continuous two-phase morphology and two distinct T_gs were detected for 50 wt.% PCL. Both isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics were strongly influenced by the different miscibility and morphology of the blends. The isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of PCL/tung oil blends were analyzed on the basis of Avrami and modified Avrami approaches, respectively. A substantial decrease in the isothermal (longer half time) and non-isothermal (T_m shifted to lower temperature) crystallization kinetics was observed as the concentration of PCL increased in the blends up to 30 wt.% due to the partially miscibility of the blends in this composition range. In a contrast, for 50 wt.% PCL blend, a considerable increase in the crystallization kinetics (isothermal and non-isothermal) was detected due to the highly interconnected, co-continuous two-phase morphology.     

Kinetics of the thermal dehydration of trans-fluoroaquobis(ethylenediamine)chromium(III) tetracyanometallate(II) [metal(II) = Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II)]

The solid phase thermal deaquation—anation of trans-[CrF(H₂O)(en)₂][M(CN)₄] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; en = ethylenediamine) has been investigated by means of non-isothermal DSC and isothermal and non-isothermal TG measurements. The physical model for these reactions (nucleation, growth, diffusion or intermediates) has been found by comparison of the isothermal and non-isothermal TG data for all the principal g(α) expressions (0.2?α?0.8) and by the shape of the isothermal curves. The values found for activation energy are low (～ 130 kJ mol^?1 for the Ni compound, ～ 140 kJ mol^?1 for the Pd compound, and ～ 100 kJ mol^?1 for the Pt compound). These data permit the assignment of the deaquation—anation mechanism of the S_N1 type involving a square-base pyramid activated complex and elimination of water as Frenkel defects.     

Simulation of isothermal cure of A powder coating

The curing of a thermosetting powder coating was studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The isothermal cure was simulated by non-isothermal experiments. The results of the simulation were compared with experimental isothermal data. From non-isothermal isoconversional procedures (free model), it was concluded that these permit simulation of the isothermal cure but do not enable us to determine the complete kinetic triplet (A preexponential factor, E activation energy, f(a) and/or g(a) function of conversion). Non-isothermal procedures based on a single heating rate or on master curves present difficulties for determination of all the kinetic parameters, due to the compensation effect between preexponential factor and activation energy. The kinetic triplet can be determined by a combination of various non-isothermal methods or by using experimental isothermal data in addition to non-isothermal data. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal conductivity of Tetryl by modulated differential scanning calorimetry

An investigation of the use of modulated differential scanning calorimeter (MDSC) to measure thermal conductivity (κ) of the explosive Tetryl using isothermal and non-isothermal methods. Issues surrounding the use of silicone oil as a heat transfer aid are discussed. Using these methods the calculated isothermal and non-isothermal properties of specific heat capacity were observed to be 0.844 and 0.863 J/(g K) and the calculated thermal conductivity values were found to be 0.165 and 0.186 W/K. Calibration experiments using polystyrene indicate that the non-isothermal method is more reproducible but has a larger offset (35%) from the true value. Our corrected values for Tetryl fall in the middle of the considerable range of values reported in the literature.     

Rational approach to thermodynamic rrocesses and constitutive equations in isothermal and non-isothermal kinetics

Isothermal and non-isothermal kinetics are classified according to the viewpoint of rational approach. The appropriate selection of basic quantities and constitutive equations is stressed. The extensive discussion recently focused to the meaning of the partial derivatives is reinvestigated and clarified considering the origin of following equation $$\alpha = f(T,t)$$ whereα is the extent of reaction,T andt are the temperature and time respectively, andf represents a function. The meaning of partial derivatives is demonstrated in details. The disagreement sometimes claimed between the data evaluated by means of isothermal and non-isothermal kinetics is also reviewed, but no fundamental differences are established.     

Study of oxidation properties and decomposition kinetics of three-dimensional (3-D) braided carbon fiber

The XRD, SEM, isothermal oxidation-weight loss and non-isothermal thermogravimetry (TG)-differential thermogravimetry (DTG) were used to study the oxidation properties and oxidation decomposition kinetics of three-dimensional (3-D) braided carbon fiber (abbreviated as fiber). The results showed that the non-isothermal oxidation process of fiber exhibited self-catalytic characteristic. The kinetic parameters and oxidation mechanism of fiber were studied through analyzing the TG and DTG data by differential and integral methods. The oxidation mechanism was random nucleation, the kinetic parameters were: lg A=10.299 min⁻¹; E_a=156.29 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Thermal decomposition of sodium propoxides

Sodium alkoxides, namely, sodium n-propoxide and sodium iso-propoxide were synthesized and characterized by various analytical techniques. Thermal decomposition of these compounds was studied under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions using a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with mass spectrometer. The onset temperatures of decomposition of sodium n-propoxide and sodium iso-propoxide were found to be 590 and 545 K, respectively. These sodium alkoxides form gaseous products of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons and leave sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and free carbon as the decomposition residue. Activation energy, E _a, and pre-exponential factor, A, for the decomposition reactions were deduced from the TG data by model-free (iso-conversion) method. The E _a for the decomposition of sodium n-propoxide and sodium iso-propoxide, derived from isothermal experiments are 162.2 ± 3.1 and 141.7 ± 5.3 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The values obtained from the non-isothermal experiments are 147.7 ± 6.8 and 133.6 ± 4.1 kJ mol^?1, respectively, for the decomposition of sodium n-propoxide and sodium iso-propoxide.     

The effect of organoclay and graphene on the crystallization of PP in ABS/PP blends

In the present research, the isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization of polypropylene (PP) phase in PP-rich poly(acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene)/polypropylene (ABS/PP) blends was studied. The effect of nanofillers’ incorporation and specialty of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) and graphene, into the prepared blends on the isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization of PP phase, were investigated. Moreover, kinetic study of their isothermal crystallization process was carried out, by applying the Avrami equation. The addition of ABS to the PP matrix increased the crystallization rate of PP at 130 °C. The incorporation of OMMT in pure PP accelerated slightly the crystallization process, whereas in ABS/PP blends, it seemed to retard crystallization, due to interactions between ABS phase and organoclay. The incorporation of graphene in pure PP accelerated impressively its isothermal crystallization, while the addition of ABS in graphene/PP nanocomposite slowed down the crystallization rate of PP. The effect of ABS and nanofillers, separately or in combination, on the crystallization of PP phase was reflected on the kinetic parameters of the Avrami equation. Regarding the non-isothermal crystallization, ABS/PP blends presented higher crystallization temperature (T _c) compared to pure PP. The organoclay reinforcement did not have any obvious effect on this temperature, whereas graphene caused significant increase, acting as nucleating agent. The presence of ABS to PP increased the concentration of the β-crystalline phase, reaching its maximum value at 30 mass% ABS content. The organoclay decreased the β-PP in ABS/PP blends, whereas graphene eliminated it.     

Kinetics of Thermal Decomposition of Lithium Hexafluorophosphate

With on-line coupled thermo-gravimetric analyzer-Fourier transform infrared spectrometer technique, the thermal decomposition of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) and its gas evolution at inert environment (H₂O<10 ppm) were studied under both non-isothermal and isothermal conditions. The results showed that the LiPF₆ decomposition is a single-stage reaction with LiF as final residue and PF₅ as gas product. In addition, its decomposi-tion kinetics was determined as 2D phase boundary movement (cylindrical symmetry) under both non-isothermal and isothermal conditions. Furthermore, the activation energy of LiPF₆ decomposition was calculated as 104 and 92 kJ/mol for non-isothermal and isothermal con-ditions, respectively.     

Synthesis and cure kinetics of diphenyl(diphenylethynyl)silane monomer

Diphenyl(diphenylethynyl)silane ((ph–C≡C)₂–Si–ph₂) (DPDPES) was synthesized by the Grignard reaction. The corresponding isothermal and non-isothermal cure kinetics of DPDPES were analyzed by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the molecular structure was characterized by H-NMR. The results showed that all the cure curves were typically sigmoid shape and cure reactions could be described by an autocatalytic kinetic model by isothermal DSC. The kinetic data, for example, activation energy (E) and frequency factor (A), were 119.22 kJ/mol and 4.67 × 10⁷ (s^?1), respectively. The non-isothermal DSC analyses showed that E and A were 162.12 kJ/mol and 1.32 × 10⁹ (s^?1), respectively, and the reaction order was 0.94. Based on the research work of this paper, it can be said that the cure reaction of DPDPES monomer was of autocatalytic and diffusion-controlled characteristics, and the effect of the diffusion was more evident at low temperature. The cure reaction of DPDPES was a first-order kinetic reaction.     

Thermokinetic parameters and thermal hazard evaluation for three organic peroxides by DSC and TAM III

The thermokinetic parameters were investigated for cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP), and tert-butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB) by non-isothermal kinetic model and isothermal kinetic model by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal activity monitor III (TAM III), respectively. The objective was to investigate the activation energy (E _a) of CHP, DTBP, and TBPB applied non-isothermal well-known kinetic equation to evaluate the thermokinetic parameters by DSC. We employed TAM III to assess the thermokinetic parameters of three liquid organic peroxides, obtained thermal runaway data, and then used the Arrhenius plot to obtain the E _a of liquid organic peroxides at various isothermal temperatures. In contrast, the results of non-isothermal kinetic algorithm and isothermal kinetic algorithm were acquired from a highly accurate procedure for receiving information on thermal decomposition characteristics and reaction hazard.     

Thermal decomposition kinetics of potassium iodate

The thermal decomposition of potassium iodate (KIO₃) has been studied by both non-isothermal and isothermal thermogravimetry (TG). The non-isothermal simultaneous TG–differential thermal analysis (DTA) of the thermal decomposition of KIO₃ was carried out in nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates. The isothermal decomposition of KIO₃ was studied using TG at different temperatures in the range 790–805 K in nitrogen atmosphere. The theoretical and experimental mass loss data are in good agreement for the thermal decomposition of KIO₃. The non-isothermal decomposition of KIO₃ was subjected to kinetic analyses by model-free approach, which is based on the isoconversional principle. The isothermal decomposition of KIO₃ was subjected to both conventional (model fitting) and model-free (isoconversional) methods. It has been observed that the activation energy values obtained from all these methods agree well. Isothermal model fitting analysis shows that the thermal decomposition kinetics of KIO₃ can be best described by the contracting cube equation.     

Non-isothermal depolymerisation kinetics of poly(ethylene oxide)

The depolymerisation of low molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) under mild conditions was studied using a linear temperature ramped non-isothermal technique and the results compared with those obtained from a conventional isothermal technique. The analysis of the non-isothermal kinetic (NIK) data was performed using an original computer program incorporating an algorithm that systematically minimizes the sum of the squares of the residuals between the experimental data and the calculated theoretical kinetic profile in order to extract the kinetic parameters. The results revealed that the depolymerisation of PEO proceeds in accordance with the Ekenstam model and follows the Arrhenius equation over the temperature range of ca. 40-130 °C. The NIK analysis resulted in a two-dimensional convergence to produce a unique solution set for the kinetic parameters of E_a = 89.4 kJ mol⁻¹ and A = 9.6 × 10⁶ h⁻¹. These data are consistent with the results obtained from the isothermal experiments. It is proposed that NIK analysis is a quick and reliable means of obtaining kinetic parameters relevant to lifetime predictions in polymers whose degradation behaviour can be considered to be close to ideal.