On the multiple crystallization behavior of PTFE in PMMA/PTFE nanocomposites from core–shell nanoparticles

The peculiar thermal behavior of four PTFE/PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate) core–shell nanoparticle samples, marked DV2M1, DV2M2, DV2M4, and DV2M6, was studied by combined differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The melting process of the PTFE in the various samples, subjected to annealing and thermal treatments, does not change. In contrast, a complex fractionated crystallization‐type behavior for the PTFE component was observed. The nanocomposite produced by the PMMA shell fluidification features a perfect dispersion of the nanometric PTFE cores. In these conditions, only one crystallization exotherm at very high undercooling is observed, possibly deriving from the homogeneous nucleation mechanism. In contrast, when high temperature thermal treatments cause the decomposition with partial loss of the PMMA shell and allows some cores to get in contact and merge, a crystallization process structured into several components is observed. This behavior indicates that different nucleation mechanisms are active, possibly involving the participation of distinct types of active nuclei with distinct crystallization efficiencies. Finally, when the PMMA shell amount is substantially reduced by the thermal degradation, only the expected crystallization process at moderate undercooling (310 °C) is observed, corresponding to the bulk crystallization induced by the most efficient heterogeneous nuclei. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 548–554, 2010     

Effect of MMT,SiO2, CaCO3, and PTFE nanoparticles on the morphology and crystallization of poly(vinylidene fluoride)

The crystallization and melting behaviors of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with small amount of nanoparticles (1 wt %), such as montmorillonite (MMT), SiO₂, CaCO₃, or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), directly prepared by melt‐mixing method were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarizing optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nanoparticle structure and the interactions between PVDF molecule and nanoparticle surface predominated the crystallization behavior and morphology of the PVDF. Small amount addition of these four types of nanoparticles would not affect the original crystalline phase obtained in the neat PVDF sample (α phase), but accelerated the crystallization rate because of the nucleation effect. In these four blend systems, MMT or PTFE nanoparticles could be well applied for PVDF nanocomposite preparation because of stronger interactions between particle surface and PVDF molecules. The nucleation enhancement and the growth rate of the spherulites were decreased in the order SiO₂ > CaCO₃ > PTFE > MMT. The melting and recrystallization of PVDF was found in MMT addition sample, because of the special ways of ordering of the PVDF chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010     

Effect of molecular weight on the crystalline structure of polytetrafluoroethylene as-polymerized

Melting and crystallization behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene as polymerized in emulsion and suspension is shown to depend on molecular weight. DSC heating curves for virgin PTFE with low molecular weight below 3 × 10⁵ have a single peak, whereas curves for higher molecular weight samples have double peaks. With increasing heating rate the areas of higher melting peaks become larger than the lower melting peaks. The morphology of polymer exhibiting double melting peaks is mainly folded ribbons or granular particles. The phenomenon of double melting is explained on the basis of two different crystalline states which correspond to the “fold regions” and the “linear segments” in a folded ribbon. The melting temperature of virgin PTFE is almost constant at ca. 330°C for molecular weights below 1 × 10⁶, and rises as the molecular weight increases above 1 × 10⁶. The heat of melting of virgin PTFE is nearly independent of molecular weight. On the basis of these results, we propose a model for melting and crystallization of low and high molecular weight PTFE and for the crystal structure.     

Surface grafting of microfibrillated cellulose with poly(ε-caprolactone) - Synthesis and characterization

In cellulose nanocomposites, the surface of the nanocellulosic phase is critical with respect to nanocellulose dispersion, network formation and nanocomposite properties. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) has been grafted with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), via ring-opening polymerization (ROP). This changes the surface characteristics of MFC and makes it possible to obtain a stable dispersion of MFC in a nonpolar solvent; it also improves MFC’s compatibility with PCL. The thermal behavior of MFC grafted with different amount of PCL has been investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). From TGA measurements, the fraction of PCL in MFC-PCL samples was estimated to 16%, 19%, and 21%. The crystallization and melting behavior of free PCL and MFC-PCL were studied with DSC, and a significant difference was observed regarding melting points, crystallization temperature, degree of crystallinity, as well as the time required for crystallization.     

THE EFFECT OF CLAY DISPERSION ON THE CRYSTALLIZATION AND MORPHOLOGY OF POLYPROPYLENE／CLAY COMPOSITES

PP/clay composites with different dispersions, namely, exfoliated dispersion, intercalated dispersion and agglomerates and particle-like dispersion, were prepared by direct melt intercalation or compounding. The effect of clay dispersion on the crystallization and morphology of PP was investigated via PLM, SAXS and DSC. Experimental results show that exfoliated clay layers are much more efficient than intercalated clay and agglomerates of clay in serving as nucleation agent due to the nano-scale dispersion of clay, resulting in a dramatic decrease in crystal size (lamellar thickness and spherulites) and an increase of crystallization temperature and crystallization rate. On the other hand, a decrease of melting temperature and crystallinity was also observed in PP/clay composites with exfoliated dispersion, due to the strong interaction between PP and clay. Compared with exfoliated clay layers, the intercalated clay layers have a less important effect on the crystallization and crystal morphology. No effect is seen for samples with agglomerates and particle-like dispersion, in regard to melting temperature, crystallization temperature, crystal thickness and crystallinity.     

Analysis of reversible melting in polytetrafluoroethylene

Summary The reversibility of crystallization and melting of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has been investigated as function of crystallization conditions and temperature by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC). The total and average specific reversibility of the melt-crystallized PTFE is considerably larger than in case of as-polymerized powder. This experimental observation must be attributed to different coupling between crystallized sequences of the molecules within the globally semi-crystalline superstructure. The crystallinity of as-polymerized PTFE is close to 100%, and the crystals melt in a narrow temperature interval close to the equilibrium melting temperature. Melt-crystallized PTFE, in turn, shows a crystallinity of about only 40% and melts at lower temperatures. The morphology of the melt-crystallized PTFE allows molecule segments to melt and crystallize reversibly as a function of temperature. The extended-chain conformation, evident in as-polymerized powder, inhibits reversible melting due to required molecular nucleation after complete melting of a molecule. The experimental findings are discussed within the framework of a similar investigation on polyethylene of different crystal morphology and support both the concepts of lateral-surface activity and molecular nucleation.     

Fractionated crystallization in blends of functionalized poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and polyamide

Blends of poly(tetrafluoroethylene)/polyamide (PTFE/PA) were prepared to combine the good processing properties of PA with the excellent sliding properties of PTFE. For the compatibilizing of the immiscible components the chemical reaction of functional groups of modified PTFE (micro powder produced by electron irradiation in air) and polar PA during a reactive extrusion process was used. The parameter influencing the efficiency of the in‐situ reaction between both components were varied. The crystallization and melting behaviour of the different blends was investigated by DSC. In dependence on the degree of compatibilization the phenomenon of fractionated crystallization of the dispersed PTFE component was observed. In this way a qualitative characterization of the dispersity of PTFE in dependence on the functionality of the components and the processing conditions is possible, and therefore an estimation of the efficiency of the in‐situ reaction.     

Diffusivity of amorphous drug in solid dispersion

Filmy solid dispersion of terfenadine (TFD), fenofibrate (FFB), and carbamazepine (CBZ) and methacrylic acid methyl methacrylate copolymer (Eudragit^®) was prepared by evaporating their solution. Raman and IR measurements for the filmy samples were performed. Concentration profile of TFD, FFB, and CBZ in solid dispersions was evaluated by their characteristic peaks, and then their diffusion rate constants were calculated. The start point of the crystallization peak under isothermal condition was determined by XRD–DSC. Viscoelastic character of Eudragit^® was evaluated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The distribution map of drugs in their solid dispersions showed the diffusion state of drugs during storage. The concentration profile of TFD, FFB, and CBZ in the solid dispersion was calculated from obtained mapping data. The diffusion rate constant of both drug in Eudragit^® EPO was higher than that in Eudragit^® RLPO. The induction period of crystallization from amorphous CBZ was gradually delayed with increasing amounts of Eudragit^®. The IR peak due to C=O was shifted to higher wave number; it suggested that there were some molecular interactions between CBZ and Eudragit^®. From the results of the change in the interaction of drug-Eudragit^®, it may be concluded that the diffusivity of drug molecule in polymer closely related to the delay of the induction period of crystallization of amorphous. DMA measurement clarified the difference in the viscosity of Eudragit^® having different functional groups and molecular mass. These results suggested that the retardation of crystallization by Eudragit^® could be related to the sample viscosity.     

Influence of supercritical CO2 and initial melting temperature on crystallization of polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposite

Polypropylene (PP)/clay nanocomposite with maleic anhydride modified polypropylene (PP-MA) was prepared using a twin-screw extruder. The effect of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) on mixing was investigated. Isothermal crystallization of the nanocomposites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and also by optical microscopy as a function of initial melting temperature. Increasing initial melting temperature causes a gradual decrease in bulk crystallization kinetics, with the exception of the 240–260 °C temperature range for the system without CO₂. Optical microscopy revealed a large number of small spherulites for the system without CO₂ after initial melting at 250 °C. After 28 min initial induction period of crystallization many small spherulites appeared in the vicinity of large spherulites for the system with CO₂, indicating the beginning of homogenous nucleation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and direct observation of the samples after tensile testing revealed better dispersion of nanoclay for the system without CO₂.     

聚L-乳酸/聚(天冬氨酸-co-乳酸)共混物的制备及其相容性研究

采用氯仿/乙醇共沸溶液浇铸法制备了混合均匀的聚L-乳酸/聚(天冬氨酸-co-乳酸)共混物(PLLA/PAL)体系.研究了PLLA/PAL共混体系的热性能、结晶行为、形态结构和力学性能,评价了PLLA和PAL之间的相容性.结果表明,PAL对PLLA的结晶行为和热性能产生了较大的影响,共混物的结晶度较低,共混体系中部分PAL会进入PLLA球晶的片晶而导致PLLA球晶结构不完善,熔点降低.PAL的含量小于20%的PLLA/PAL共混物的拉伸强度和断裂延伸率均高于纯PLLA.PLLA和PAL分子链相互缠结,产生的氢键使分子链间存在较强的相互作用,具有较好的相容性.     

An NMR, DSC, and IR spectroscopy study of the composite formed during low-temperature postradiation polymerization of C2F4 in the presence of a 3D graphene material

By solid-state magic angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and IR spectroscopy, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) samples obtained by low-temperature (T = ?196°C) postradiation polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (C₂F₄) and C₂F₄ mixtures with a 3D graphene material formed by the microwave exfoliation of graphite oxide films (MEGO) have been investigated. It has been shown that the melting point of PTFE in the PTFE-MEGO composite is 332.5°C, which is 8.8°C above the melting point of pure PTFE obtained under the same conditions. According to the measured values of specific enthalpy of melting ΔH _m (51.5 and 45.4 J/g), the degrees crystallinity (x _c) of 0.63 and 0.55 have been calculated for the pure polymer and the composite, respectively. It has been also found that none of the PTFE-containing samples examined has terminal CF₃ groups typical of PTFE prepared by conventional suspension polymerization.     

层状磷酸锆的合成与性质研究

用回流、水热晶化和HF沉淀三种方法制备了α－Zr(HPO₄)₂·H₂O(α－ZrP)晶体.HF沉淀法制备的α－ZrP晶体尺寸最大,层板有序度最高,水热法次之,回流法最差.水热法合成的α－ZrP尾板本身的结晶度最高.随α－ZrP晶粒增大,层板有序度和层间水的脱除温度均提高,并且需要嵌入更多的烷基胺和醇胺才能导致层板胶体化.HF沉淀法和回流法制备的α－ZrP层板较易水解,水热法制备的样品水解率较低,但三种样品在有机胺浓度为等当点时水解率均不超过20％.     

Polymer induced changes of the crystallization scenario in suspensions of hard sphere like microgel particles

We investigated the crystallization scenario of highly cross linked polystyrene particles dispersed in the good solvent 2-ethylnaphtalene and their mixtures with non-adsorbing low molecular weight polysterene polymer using time resolved static light scattering. The samples were prepared slightly below the melting volume fraction of the polymer free system. For the polymer free samples, we obtained polycrystalline solids via crystallization scenario known from hard sphere suspensions with little competition of wall crystal formation. Addition of non-adsorbing low molecular weight polystyrene polymer leads to a considerably slowing down of the bulk crystallization kinetics. We observed a delay of the precursor to crystal conversion for the bulk crystallization while the induction times for the wall nucleation are reduced. The increased polymer concentration thus shifts the balance between the two competing crystallization pathways giving the possibility to tune the relative amount of wall based crystals.     

PMMA‐based core‐shell nanoparticles with various PTFE cores

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) latices with spherical and rod‐like particles in the submicrometer size range, were employed as seeds in the emulsifier‐free methylmethacrylate (MMA) emulsion polymerization to obtain PTFE‐polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) core‐shell nanoparticles. Stable latices were generally obtained. No residual PTFE was found at the end of the reaction. By appropriately choosing the ratio between MMA and PTFE in the reaction mixture, particles with predetermined size and monodisperse or narrow size distribution were prepared. The high structural regularity of the core‐shell samples allows the preparation of film with a periodic distribution of the cores thus ultimately leading to a well structured 2D colloidal crystal. A very peculiar crystallization behavior was observed because of the PTFE compartmentalization in the composite. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2928–2937, 2009     

Phase behavior of crystalline blends of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and of random fluorinated copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene

In the present article, we investigate by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) the thermal behavior (melting, crystallization, and crystal–crystal transitions) far from equilibrium of blends constituted of two crystalline polymers. In particular, the following blends are examined: PTFE–PFMVE, PTFE–FEP, and FEP–PFMVE where PTFE is poly(tetrafluoroethylene), PFMVE is poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐perfluoromethylvinylether), and FEP is poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐hexafluoropropylene). The two last ones are random tetrafluoroethylene copolymers with small amounts of comonomer. Our results indicate that, under the experimental investigated conditions, the blends containing PTFE do not give cocrystallization on cooling from the melt, although under very rapid crystallization conditions, quenching, the presence of the copolymer would seem to slightly influence PTFE crystallization (lower peak temperatures are observed for the crystalline transitions and the melting with respect to those of the neat homopolymer). The behavior of the FEP–PFMVE blend is completely different; in fact, our results indicate the occurrence of cocrystallization, then miscibility in the crystalline phase, for almost all compositions and all investigated experimental conditions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 679–689, 1999     

Phase behavior of n-octadecane in the form of water dispersion by the optical method

An aqueous dispersion of n-octadecane (n-C₁₈H₃₈) with a dispersed phase particle size of ～100 nm was prepared by ultrasonic dispersion method without the addition of surfactants. The temperatures of melting, crystallization and transitions to rotator phases were determined by the optical method (light scattering). The effect of surface crystallization was observed experimentally.     

Characterization of polypropylene/layered silicate nanocomposites prepared by single-step method

The extent of organo-modified clay (C93A) platelets dispersion in polymer matrix and crystallization and melting behavior of iPP-based nanocomposites prepared by a single-step melt-mixing method were investigated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). WAXD patterns revealed exfoliated structure of nanocomposites containing 1 wt% clay, and mixed intercalated/exfoliated structure at higher concentration of nanoclay. The isothermal crystallization proceeds faster in the matrix polymer (iPP/PP-g-MA) than in nanocomposite samples. The results obtained for T _m ^o suggest that the presence of nanoclay has induced a perfection of the formed crystals. The presence of C93A particles in PP leads to increase in crystallization peak temperature implying nucleating ability of clay particles, which was more pronounced in exfoliated than in mixed intercalated/exfoliated system.     

Crystallization kinetics of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/MMT,SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, or PTFE nanocomposite by differential scanning calorimeter

The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) in PVDF/MMT, SiO₂, CaCO₃, or PTFE composites was investigated through differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The enhanced nucleation of PVDF in its nanocomposites with four types of nanoparticle, and their impact on the crystallization kinetics and melting behaviors were discussed. The modified Avrami method and combined Ozawa–Avrami approaches successfully described the primary crystallization of PVDF in nanocomposite samples under the nonisothermal crystallization process. The activation energy was determined according to the Friedman method and it was quite fit with the results of the analysis according to the modified Avrami model and a combined Ozawa–Avrami model.     

尼龙1010结晶与熔融行为的研究

用DSC研究了降温速率R对尼龙10 10结晶与熔融的影响,以及室温(RT)和液氮(LN)骤冷退火样品的熔融.降温时结晶温度随R增大线性降低;T_g以上可完成结晶时结晶度相同;结晶起始温度>181℃生成的晶体有三个熔融峰,对应于环状和放射状球晶的转化与熔融;在181℃和T_g间结晶,无放射球晶转化峰;T_g下有结晶放热峰样品加热时有冷结晶发生.RT未退火样品三个熔融峰,退火温度T_α≥180℃样品两个峰,结晶度C∝T_a;LN未退火样品单一熔融峰,T_a>160℃双峰,T_a≤160℃三峰,低温峰温与C均∝T.     

The influence of wood flour and compatibilizer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-TMI-<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>-PP) on crystallization and melting behavior of polypropylene

Wood flour/polypropylene composites (WPC) were prepared by melt extruding with different wood flour (WF) loadings. The non-isothermal crystallization and melting was studied with different WF loadings, for W40P60 and W40P60M6, the melting was investigated after non-isothermal and isothermal crystalline. Comparing with neat polypropylene, the melting behavior of the composites, both non-isothermally and isothermally, was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that WF was an effective heterogeneous nucleating agent, as evidenced by an increase in the crystallization temperature and the crystallinity for melt crystallization of PP with increasing WF content. For the non-isothermal samples, the origins of the double melting behaviors were discussed, based on the DSC results of PP. The XRD measurements confirmed that no crystalline transition existed during the non-isothermal crystallization process. With m-TMI-g-PP adding, due to compatibilization phenomenon were probably responsible for decreasing T _m, X _c. In the DSC scan after isothermal crystallization process, the single melting behaviors were found and each melting endotherm had a different origin.