Investigation of polyamide 12 isothermal crystallization through the application of the phase-field model

Crystallization of polyamide 12 (PA12) is an essential process requiring thorough investigation for evaluating the mechanical properties after the polymer parts are manufactured. The change in crystallization temperature results in different crystallization behaviors for PA12. Hence, the crystal morphology of PA12 achieved provides important information about crystallization behavior, especially for those produced through additive manufacturing due to its heterogenous cooling rate in a single print bed. Considering the need of investigating PA12 crystallization using phase-field modeling, this paper aims to simulate the spherulite morphology of PA12 undergoing isothermal crystallization. This model is compared with the spherulite morphologies obtained from the optical microscopy test. The model shows that PA12 spherulites have thicker dendrites when the isothermal temperature is higher. The present phase-field model can determine the spherulite morphologies of bulk printed PA12 based on the crystallization condition and be used to evaluate the properties of the printed part.     

Modeling of the molar mass distribution of six-arm star-branched poly-epsilon-caprolactam using size-exclusion chromatography

This paper presents a modeling-based approach to the prediction of the molar mass distribution of the various species in a star-branched polycondensation mixture. The interpretation of experimental SEC data of the mixture of linear, cyclic and star-branched molecules is not straightforward, because of the different sizes of those molecules (having the same molecular mass). Therefore we have opted to use SEC analysis with only a concentration detector and fit the experimental data to the theoretical mass distribution, corrected for the volume of the various molecules. This allows the relative fraction and the distribution of the various species in the mixture (linear, cyclic and star-branched) to be determined. To demonstrate this, the six-arm star-branched poly-epsilon-caprolactam based on the six-functional coupling molecule, hexa(6-caproic acid) melamine has been analyzed. Five polymer mixtures with different initial concentration of coupling molecule have been synthesized. As the initial concentration of coupling molecule increased, we found that the weight fraction of star-branched molecules increased, while the weight fraction of linear and cyclic molecules decreased. We also found that the weight-average molar mass and the arm length decrease as the initial fraction of the coupling molecule increases.     

可溶性稀土聚乙炔的某些结构特征

本文利用UV、IR、Ramaan、ESR和X射线衍射等方法研究了可溶性聚乙炔的某些结构特征。发现非结晶的可溶性聚乙炔的光谱和波谱性质与结晶的膜状及粉末状聚乙炔有明显的差异,可能是由于它们的分子量相差悬殊造成的。实验结果表明,线型聚乙炔可能存在可溶的临界分子量,其值在=500 左右。     

Electrophoretic mobility of linear and star-branched DNA in semidilute polymer solutions

Electrophoresis of large linear T2 (162 kbp) and 3-arm star-branched (N(Arm) = 48.5 kbp) DNA in linear polyacrylamide (LPA) solutions above the overlap concentration c* has been investigated using a fluorescence visualization technique that allows both the conformation and mobility mu of the DNA to be determined. LPA solutions of moderate polydispersity index (PI approximately 1.7-2.1) and variable polymer molecular weight Mw (0.59-2.05 MDa) are used as the sieving media. In unentangled semidilute solutions (c* < c < c(e)), we find that the conformational dynamics of linear and star-branched DNA in electric fields are strikingly different; the former migrating in predominantly U- or I-shaped conformations, depending on electric field strength E, and the latter migrating in a squid-like profile with the star-arms outstretched in the direction opposite to E and dragging the branch point through the sieving medium. Despite these visual differences, mu for linear and star-branched DNA of comparable size are found to be nearly identical in semidilute, unentangled LPA solutions. For LPA concentrations above the entanglement threshold (c > c(e)), the conformation of migrating linear and star-shaped DNA manifest only subtle changes from their unentangled solution features, but mu for the stars decreases strongly with increasing LPA concentration and molecular weight, while mu for linear DNA becomes nearly independent of c and Mw. These findings are discussed in the context of current theories for electrophoresis of large polyelectrolytes.     

Control of macromolecular architecture of polyamides by poly-functional agents. 2. Use of oligomerization in polycondensation study

In the first paper of the series, a statistical model for star-branched polycondenzation of AB type monomers in the presence of a polyfunctional agent RA_f was completely developed. The analytical expressions obtained for the number-average (D̄P̄_n̄) and weight-average (D̄P̄_w̄) degree of polymerization, and the dispersion index (D) for whole polymer species, linear and star macromolecular chains, are now derived as function of the feed and of end-group analysis. Also the important molecular parameter, mole fraction of star-branched polymer, can be evaluated. Some numerical examples are presented. It is illustrated that the molecular weight properties of the linear and star-branched polymers in the mixture of the products, very important factors for the application of this kind of polymeric materials, can be determined starting from the feed and terminal group analysis. Polymerization and oligomerization of 6-aminocaproic acid were carried out in the presence of trimesic (T3) acid and 2,2,6,6-tetra(β-carboxyethyl)cyclohexanone (T4) and EDTA as tri- and terra-functional agents. The molecular weights calculated are in good agreement with those obtained by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), end group analysis and NMR spectra.     

Molecular weight segregation induced by interfacial melt reactivity in polyamide 6/reactive rubber blends

Polyamide 6 (PA) and ethylene-propylene rubber with maleic functionality (EPMA) were blended in a batch mixer. EPMA anhydride groups react with amine chain ends of polyamide and form a grafted copolymer at the interface. The molecular weights of the grafted PA and of the free PA were measured. The molecular weight of the free PA decreases during the processing. This effect is due to the hydrolysis of the PA consecutively to its reaction with anhydride groups. The molecular weight of both grafted and free polyamide decreases during the processing. Moreover, the molecular weight of the grafted PA is lower than that of the free PA. At constant mixing time, a high conversion level produces grafted PA with a higher molecular weight. This is the result of molecular weight segregation for interfacial reaction. Small molecules react faster at the interface than larger ones. If we compare experimental results with model predictions, two segregation regimes are observed. For high shear and low EPMA concentrations, dispersion is very fast; the segregation only depends on molecular elasticity. In this case, the best correlation between model and experiment is obtained for low interfacial thicknesses. For low shear, or for EPMA concentrations close to the phase inversion composition, the segregation is more noticeable, which is mainly due to the diffusion of macromolecules through the brush of already grafted molecules. In this case, there is a clear competition between the compatibilization and the grafting reaction. Molecular weight segregation gives low ratio of the grafted PA molecular weight to the free PA molecular weight. This is detrimental to interfacial properties of the grafted copolymer formed by melt reactivity. Strategies are developed to improve this ratio in order to investigate its influence on the mechanical properties. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Crystallization and reinforcement of poly (vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites: Role of high molecular weight resin and carbon nanotubes

The effect of high molecular weight resin and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the crystallization, rheological and dynamic mechanical properties of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composites was investigated. A synergetic effect of the high molecular weight resin and MWCNTs on the nucleation in the crystallization process of the matrix has been observed, and their contributions to the crystallization of the matrix are two-sided. The composites containing both the high molecular weight resin and MWCNTs have much higher crystallization peak temperatures but lower crystallinity, especially for samples with high MWCNT content. For the isothermal crystallization at relative high temperatures, higher Avrami exponent and shorter half-time of crystallization are observed for the composites containing both the high molecular weight resin and MWCNTs. The introduction of the high molecular weight resin not only reinforces the matrix, but also promotes the dispersion of MWCNTs. The reinforcement and synergetic nucleation effects of the high molecular weight resin and MWCNTs were also confirmed by dynamic mechanical analysis.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal stability of star-shaped poly(ε-caprolactone) with phosphazene core

Hexakis[p-(hydroxylmethyl)phenoxy]cyclotriphosphazene was synthesized by the reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with the sodium salt of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and subsequent reduction of aldehyde groups to alcohol groups by using sodium borohydride. This compound was employed in initiating the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. The resulting polymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The characterization data indicated the star-shaped PCL with phosphazene core were successfully synthesized with narrow molecular weight distribution and high yields. ¹H-NMR analysis was used to calculate the number-average molecular weight. The calculated result from NMR was closer to the theoretical data than that from GPC analysis. Polarizing optical microscopy (POM) combined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the crystallization behavior of the star-shaped PCL. The result indicated that the highly branched architecture of star-shaped PCL resulted in interrupted crystallization form and subsequently lower melting temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) carried out on the star-shaped PCL suggested that introduction of phosphazene rings strengthen the thermal stability of the resulting polymers.     

Anionic synthesis of polystyrene and polybutadiene heteroarm star polymers

The use of living linking reactions of poly(styryl)lithium with 1,3-bis(1-phenylvinyl)benzene followed by crossover reactions with styrene or butadiene monomers has been used to prepare four-armed heteroarm, star-branched polymers. Bimodal molecular weight distributions have been observed for crossover reactions with both styrene and butadiene. Addition of THF ([THF]/[Li]=14–32) for crossover to styrene and lithium sec-butoxide for crossover to butadiene produces monomodal molecular weight distributions. Symmetrical, four-armed star polystyrenes have been synthesized; properties have been compared with a corresponding polymer prepared via a silicon tetrachloride linking reaction. Heteroarm, star-branched polymers with two polystyrene arms and two polybutadiene arms with high 1,4-microstructure have been prepared.     

Properties of simple models of polymer networks. A Monte Carlo simulation

A model polymer network was constructed from branched chains. Each chain was built on a simple cubic lattice forming a star-branched polymer consisting of f = 3 arms of equal lengths. The fragment of network under consideration consisted of 1, 2 and 3 star polymers with different topology of connections. The only potential used was excluded volume (athermal chains). The properties of the network were determined by the means of computer simulations using the classical Metropolis sampling algorithm (local micromodifications of chain conformation). The behaviour of linear chains of the same molecular weight was also studied as a state of reference. The influence of attaching the next star-branched chain to the network on its static and dynamic properties was studied. The short-time dynamic behaviour of chain fragments was determined and discussed.     

Morphology of polyethylene crystallized by solution stirring

Dilatometric and calorimetric studies have been made of the fusion process of linear polyethylene crystallized by stirring xylene solutions at elevated temperatures. It is shown that the melting point of the crystals increases rapidly from 139.5°C to 145°C in the crystallization temperature range of 100–103°C and levels off to 146 ± 0.5°C, provided that very slow heating rates are employed. Stirrer-crystallized samples treated with fuming nitric acid show higher crystalline contents. Comparison of their enthalpies of fusion and melting points indicate that higher molecular order along the fiber axis is associated with higher crystallization temperatures. This is in general agreement with corresponding results of other modes of crystallization. The attack of fuming nitric acid on stirrer crystals is characterized by weight-loss curves similar to those of dilutesolution crystals and bulk polyethylene. The linear molecular weight dependence on time of exposure to nitric acid suggests that the oxidation proceeds mainly from the chain ends at a constant rate for samples stirred in the lower crystallization range, but an increased rate is observed for a sample stirred from xylene at 105°C. It is suggested that the lamellar overgrowths, most evident at low crystallization temperatures, are epitaxially attached to the fiber axis, whereas the smaller crossbandings observed at higher crystallization temperatures are possibly made up of elements of chains that are only partly incorporated in the highly ordered fibrous core.     

Structural effect of linear and star‐shaped poly(L‐lactic acid) on physical properties

The linear and star‐shaped poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) with similar molecular weight were prepared and their physical properties such as thermal properties, rheological properties, and crystallization behavior in quiescent and dynamic states were compared. The differential scanning calorimetry showed that the linear PLLA gave higher glass transition, melting, and crystallization temperatures than the star‐shaped one. In dynamic crystallization, the linear PLLA gave longer induction time and longer overall crystallization time than the star‐shaped one, although the former gave higher rate of crystallization in quiescent crystallization. However, wide‐angle X‐ray diffractometer(WAXD) analysis revealed that the linear and star‐shaped PLLA developed the same crystal structure and application of shear had little effect on crystal structure. As predicted, the linear PLLA gave higher crystallinity than the star‐shaped PLLA. In the dilute solutions, the linear PLLA exhibited higher intrinsic viscosity than the star‐shaped one. In the concentrated solutions, the star‐shaped PLLA gave higher values of dynamic viscosity, storage, and loss moduli than the linear one. Further, the former exhibited more noticeable shear thinning behavior and greater dependence of rheological properties on temperature than the latter. For both PLLA melts, the modified Cole–Cole plot gave slope less than 2. Of two PLLA polymers the star‐shaped PLLA gave smaller slope than the linear one. In addition, the former showed greater change of the slope with temperature than the latter. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 939–946, 2004     

Hydrothermal treatment of polyamide 6 with presence of lanthanum chloride

Hydrothermal processing of polyamide 6(PA6) with the presence of lanthanum chloride(La Cl3) was studied in the temperature region from 160 °C to 250 °C. PA6 will be dissolved in the superheated water when temperature is above 160 °C. And as PA6 is dissolved, hydrolysis will happen, which makes PA6 chains degrade. By adding La Cl3 in the hydrothermal environment, the PA6 hydrolysis will intensify, especially when the hydrothermal temperature is higher than 200 °C. When the hydrothermal system cools down, the hydrolyzed PA6 segments will crystallize from the solution or remain dissolved in the solution depending on molecular weight. In addition, the hydrolyzed compound of La Cl3 would affect the crystallization of PA6 segments with proper size, and ? phase would be presented.     

Crystallization Kinetics and Melting Behavior of PA1010/Ether-based TPU Blends

Polyamide 1010(PA1010)/thermoplastic poly(ether urethane) elastomer(ether-based TPU) blends were prepared via melt extrusion. The crystallization kinetics and melting behavior of PA1010/ether-based TPU blends were systematically investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. The crystallization kinetics results show that the addition of ether-based TPU hinders the crystallization of PA1010, and the hindrance effect increases with the increase of the concentration of ether-based TPU. Both pure PA1010 and PA1010/ether-based TPU blends exhibit double melting peaks in the process of nonisothermal crystallization. The double melting peaks change differently with the variation of cooling rate and blend composition. The cooling rate only influences the lower melting peak; however, the blend composition influences not only the lower melting peak but also the higher melting peak. The reason for the phenomenon must be the interaction between the two compositions.     

Phenomenological approach to compare the crystallization kinetics of isotactic polypropylene and polyamide‐6 under pressure

Reliable experimental data for semicrystalline polymers crystallized under pressure are supplied on the basis of a model experiment in which drastic solidification conditions are applied. The influence of the pressure and cooling rate on some properties, such as the density and microhardness, and on the product morphology, as investigated with wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), is stressed. Results for isotactic polypropylene (iPP) samples display a lower density and a lower microhardness with increasing pressure over a wide range of cooling rates (from 0.01 to 20 °C/s). Polyamide‐6 (PA6) samples exhibit the opposite behavior, with the density and microhardness increasing at higher pressures over the entire range of cooling rates investigated (from 1 to 200 °C/s). A deconvolution technique applied to iPP and PA6 WAXS patterns has allowed us to evaluate the final phase content and to assess the crystallization kinetics. A negative influence of pressure on the α‐crystalline phase crystallization kinetics can be observed for iPP, whereas a slightly positive influence of pressure on the crystallization kinetics of PA6 can be noted. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 153–175, 2002     

Influence of maleic anhydride-grafted EPDM and flame retardant on interfacial interaction of glass fiber reinforced PA-66

In this paper, the effects of melamine polyphosphate flame retardant (MPP-FR) and maleic anhydride-grafted EPDM (MA-EPDM) on the interfacial interaction of PA66/GF were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheological behavior and mechanical properties. The experimental results demonstrate that MPP-FR and MA-EPDM could effectively improve interfacial interactions between the PA66 and GF. Based on SEM, good interfacial adhesion between PA66 and GF in PA66/GF/FR and PA66/GF/FR/MA-EPDM composites was observed, however, MPP-FR destroyed the PA66 matrix. DMA results show that MPP-FR increased glass transition temperature (T_g) and storage modulus, and lower tan δ, while MA-EPDM showed a little effect on them in PA66/GF/FR/MA-EPDM composite compared with PA66/GF/FR. MPP-FR made PA66 crystallization temperature and the activation energy of the macromolecular segments transport increase clearly, and enhanced crystallization degree of PA66 according to DSC results. These results demonstrate MPP-FR presented the nucleate effect for the crystallization of PA66. At the low shear rate, MPP-FR and MA-EPDM obviously enhanced apparent viscosities of the composites. This is attributed that MPP-FR improved the interfacial interaction of the composites, and MA-EPDM promoted the formation of high molecular weight structures by the reactions between MA and amine groups. All results in this paper were consistent, and showed the good interaction among PA66, GF, MPP and MA-EPDM, which were proved by the mechanical properties of the composites.     

稀土顺-1,4-聚丁二烯的分子量及分子缠结对结晶行为的影响

本工作以线膨胀、体膨胀、DSC、扭辫等方法,在较宽的分子量和结晶温度范围内研究了稀土顺-1,4-聚丁二烯(Ln-PB)的分子量与结晶速率,结晶熔点,玻璃化温度及结晶比表面能之间的关系。进一步考察了分子链缠结对结晶速率的影响,并在结晶成核理论的基础上引入链缠结的影响,导出Ln-PB的结晶动力学方程,得到了与实验符合较好的结果。     

Crystallization behavior of disproportionately high and low molecular weight PEO blends

The crystallization behavior of PEOs with molecular weight of 1 Ok and 200k as well as their blends was studied in details. The results show that the lower molecular weight PEO crystallizes with faster crystallization rate as judged from a shorter time for completing the crystallization. On the other hand, the higher molecular weight PEO crystallizes at relatively higher temperature, indicating an early start of crystallization compared with the lower molecular weight one. The blends of these two PEOs with different blend ratios always cocrystallize during the cooling processes. It is confirmed that mixing of the 10k PEO with the 200k one is in favor of the crystallization of the system. This is not only demonstrated by the early start of the crystallization at higher crystallization temperature, and also a faster crystal growth of the blend with respect to the 200k PEO. The crystallization of the blends at higher temperature is caused by an early start of nucleation and an increment of nucleus density. This may originate from the density fluctuation of the blend and a reduction in energy barrier for nucleation. Moreover, it is found that the crystallinity of the 1 Ok PEO rich blends increases with increasing concentration of the 10k PEO. This is caused by the solvent effect of the 10k PEO toward the 200k PEO. On the other hand, the crystallinity of the 30/70 （10k/200k） PEO blend is decreased a little bit. This may be a balanced result of the improved crystallization of the 200k PEO at the expense of the high crystallization ability of the 1 Ok PEO.     

Stealth star polymers: a new high-loading scaffold for liquid-phase organic synthesis

[formula: see text] Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has proven to be a versatile soluble-polymer support for organic synthesis, though the use of PEG has been limited by its relatively low loading (0.5 mmol/g or less). We have developed a new high-loading (1 mmol/g) soluble-star polymer based on a cyclotriphosphazene core with PEG arms that exhibit superior precipitation properties compared with those of linear PEG. Additionally, the heterocyclic core does not add interfering signals to the 1H or 13C NMR.     

Polyamide 11/poly(hydroxy amino ether) blends: Influence of the blend composition and morphology on the barrier and mechanical properties

A series of PA11/PHAE blends was prepared by melt mixing across the full composition range. Films were obtained for each composition by an extrusion-cast process keeping the same processing conditions. The blends exhibited a two phase morphology. PHAE-rich nodules surrounded by the PA11-rich matrix were observed for PA11 contents higher than 50 wt% in the blends. For lower PA11 weight amounts, PA11 became the dispersed phase and appeared as long fibrillar domains lying in the plane of the film. PA11/PHAE interactions were discussed from DSC and DMA analyses. The effects of the blend composition and morphology on mechanical properties in the linear range and on hydrogen barrier properties were investigated. Hydrogen permeability decreased with increasing amount of PHAE in the blends. A confrontation between the experimental permeability values and the theoretical ones calculated by taking account of the specific properties and morphology of the PA11- and PHAE-rich phases was carried out. In the films series under study, the improvement of hydrogen barrier properties was mainly related to the blend composition whereas a significant effect of the blend morphology was observed on mechanical properties in the rubbery state.