Enhanced <Emphasis Type="Italic">αγ</Emphasis>′ Transition of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) by Step Crystallization and Subsequent Annealing

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) exhibits pronounced polymorphs.Its γ phase is attractive due to the electroactive properties.The γ-PVDF is however difficult to obtain under normal crystallization condition.In a previous work,we reported a simple melt-recrystallization approach for producing y-phase rich PVDF thin films through selective melting and subsequent recrystallization.We reported here another approach for promoting the αγ'phase transition to prepare γ-phase rich PVDF thin films.To this end,a stepwise crystallization and subsequent annealing process was used.The idea is based on a quick generation of a large amount of α-PVDF crystals with some of their γ-PVDF counterparts at suitable crystallization temperature and then annealing at a temperature above the crystallization temperature for enhancing the molecular chain mobility to overcome the energy barrier of phase transition.It was found that crystallizing the PVDF melt first at 152 ℃ for4 h,then quenching to room temperature and finally annealing the sample at 160 ℃ for 100 h was the most efficient to produce γ-PVDF rich films.This is related to the melting and recrystallization of the α-PVDF crystals produced during quenching in the annealing process at 160 ℃,which favors the formation of γ-PVDF crystals for triggering the αγ'phase transition.     

Comparison of PVDF/MWNT,PMMA/MWNT,and PVDF/PMMA/MWNT nanocomposites: MWNT dispersibility and thermal and rheological properties

Pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and PVDF/PMMA blends to achieve binary and ternary nanocomposites. MWNTs were more compatible with the PVDF matrix than with the PMMA-containing matrices. MWNT addition did not alter the development of α-form PVDF crystals in the binary/ternary composites. Nucleation and overall isothermal crystallization of PVDF were enhanced by the presence of MWNTs, and enhancements were optimal in the PVDF/MWNT binary composites. Avrami analysis revealed that addition of MWNTs led to more extensive athermal-type nucleation of PVDF, and that PMMA slightly decreased the crystal growth dimension of PVDF. The equilibrium melting temperature (T_m°) of PVDF increased in the binary composites but remained nearly constant in the ternary system. Thermal stability was enhanced in the binary/ternary composites, and enhancements were more evident in the air environment than in nitrogen. Rheological property measurements revealed that the intensely entangled chains of high-molecular weight PVDF dominated the rheological response of PVDF-included samples in the melt state. A (pseudo)network structure was developed in each of the PVDF-included samples as well as in the 1 phr MWNT-added PMMA/MWNT composite. The storage moduli of the PVDF, PMMA, and PVDF/PMMA:1/1 blend increased to 37%, 22% and 34%, respectively, at 40 °C after addition of 1 phr MWNT.     

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     

Effects of partial replacement of silicone rubber with flurorubber on properties of dynamically cured poly(vinylidene fluoride)/silicone rubber/flurorubber ternary blends

Blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), silicone rubber (SR) and flurorubber (FKM) were prepared via peroxide dynamic vulcanization. The effect of FKM loading on the morphology, mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, rheology and dynamic mechanical properties of the PVDF/SR/FKM ternary blends was investigated. A “network” was observed in the PVDF/SR binary blends, which disappeared in the ternary blends, but a core-shell-like structure was formed. The mechanical properties were significantly improved. The Izod impact strength of PVDF/SR/FKM blend with 19 wt% FKM was 18.3 kJ/m², which was 3–4 times higher than the PVDF/SR binary blend. The complex viscosity and storage modulus of the PVDF/SR/FKM blends decreased with increasing FKM content, hence the processability was improved. The increase of FKM content seemed to show a favorable effect on the crystallization of the PVDF component. It promoted the nucleation process of PVDF, leading to increased polymer crystallization rate and higher crystallization temperature. The glass-rubber transition temperature of the PVDF phase moved to a lower temperature.     

Micropatterning of semicrystalline poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) solutions

Micropatterning of a semicrystalline poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) solution was performed by a temperature controlled capillary micromolding where the rate of solvent evaporation was controlled by substrate temperature. In order to choose proper solvents for micropatterning, we have investigated the solubility of PVDF in various organic solvents and crystal structures of the PVDF bulk films cast from the solvents. The films prepared from the polar solvents such as dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) dominantly showed γ type crystals regardless of preparation temperature, while the films from tetrahydrofuran (THF) exhibit α type crystals and the ones from acetone and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) show the characteristics of both α- and γ-PVDF. The quality of micropatterns and shapes of the PVDF crystals in the patterns significantly depend on solvent evaporation rates. Micropatterns of PVDF formed in DMF at 120 °C showed the best uniformity in shape. Crystals of the PVDF nucleated at the center regions of microchannels tended to be elongated with the b-axis of γ-PVDF crystals along the channels as the concentration of the solution decreased. In contrast, crystals nucleated at the corner regions of the channels had their b-axis oriented perpendicular to the channels. In line patterns with the width of 2 μm, the corner nucleated crystals were dominant and a resulting bamboo-like crystalline microstructure was observed in which the b-axis of γ-PVDF crystals, fast growth direction, is oriented normal to the microchannels. The crystal structures of the bulk films and the micropatterns were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope in Attenuated Total Reflection mode, Polarized Optical and Scanning Electron Microscope.     

具有纳米结构的聚偏氟乙烯/1-乙烯基-3-丁基咪唑氯盐离子液体复合材料的结晶行为

用示差扫描量热(DSC)、偏光显微镜(POM)及X射线衍射(XRD)分析考察了具有纳米结构的聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)/1-乙烯基-3-丁基咪唑氯盐离子液体([VBIM][Cl])复合材料(PVDF/[VBIM][Cl])中经[VBIM][Cl]接枝的PVDF(PVDF-g-[VBIM][Cl])纳米微区对PVDF结晶行为的影响.研究结果表明,[VBIM][Cl]化学接枝在PVDF的分子链上,在PVDF/[VBIM][Cl]复合材料中,PVDF-g-[VBIM][Cl]嵌段形成大量纳米微区,分散在PVDF基体中.PVDF-g-[VBIM][Cl]纳米微区能够显著提高PVDF熔体结晶温度(Tc)并显著降低PVDF晶体的等温结晶时间.与纯PVDF相比,在纳米结构的PVDF/[VBIM][Cl]复合材料中,PVDF-g-[VBIM][Cl]纳米微区大大提高了PVDF晶体的成核速率,PVDF的球晶尺寸明显减小.由于[VBIM][Cl]完全"受限"于PVDF-g-[VBIM][Cl]纳米微区中,无法与PVDF分子链发生相互作用,因此纳米结构的PVDF/[VBIM][Cl]复合材料最终以非极性的α晶体为主.由于PVDF-g-[VBIM][Cl]纳米微区与PVDF基体具有热力学不相容性,因此其界面处的PVDF分子链处于部分有序的状态,有助于PVDF晶体的成核,加速了PVDF晶体的结晶速率.     

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.     

Crystalline Morphology and Crystallization Kinetics of Melt-miscible Crystalline/Crystalline Polymer Blends of Poly（vinylidene fluoride） and Poly（butylene succinate-co-24mol% hexamethylene succinate）

Poly（vinylidene fluoride） （PVDF） and poly（butylene succinate-co-24 mol% hexamethylene succinate） （PBHS）, both crystalline polymers, formed melt-miscible crystalline/crystalline polymer blends. Both the characteristic diffraction peaks and nonisothermal melt crystallization peak of each component were found in the blends, indicating that PVDF and PBHS crystallized separately. The crystalline morphology and crystallization kinetics of each component were studied under different crystallization conditions for the PVDF/PBHS blends. Both the spherulitic growth rates and overall isothermal melt crystallization rates of blended PVDF decreased with increasing the PBHS composition and were lower than those of neat PVDF, when the crystallization temperature was above the melting point of PBHS component. The crystallization mechanism of neat and blended PVDF remained unchanged, despite changes of blend composition and crystallization temperature. The crystallization kinetics and crystalline morphology of neat and blended PBHS were further studied, when the crystallization temperature was below the melting point of PBHS component. Relative to neat PBHS, the overall crystallization rates of the blended PBHS first increased and then decreased with increasing the PVDF content in the blends, indicating that the preexisting PVDF crystals may show different effects on the nucleation and crystal growth of PBHS component in the crystalline/crystalline polymer blends.     

Miscibility and crystallization behavior in blends of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinylidene fluoride): Effect of star‐like topology of poly(methyl methacrylate) chain

A tetraarmed star‐shaped poly(methyl methacrylate) (s‐PMMA) was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization with 2‐bromoisobutyryl pentaerythritol as the initiator. For comparison, a linear PMMA with the identical molecular weight (l‐PMMA) was also prepared. The blends of the two PMMA samples with poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were prepared to investigate the effect of macromolecular topological structure on miscibility and crystallization behavior of the binary blends. The behavior of single and composition‐dependent glass transition temperatures was found for the blends of s‐PMMA with PVDF, indicating that the s‐PMMA is miscible with PVDF in the amorphous state just like l‐PMMA. The miscibility was further evidenced by the depression of equilibrium melting points. It is found that the blends of s‐PMMA and PVDF displayed the larger k value of Gordon–Taylor equation than the blends of l‐PMMA and PVDF blends. According to the depression of equilibrium melting points, the intermolecular parameters for the two blends were estimated. It is noted that the s‐PMMA/PVDF blends displayed the lower interaction parameter than l‐PMMA/PVDF blends. The isothermal crystallization kinetics shows that the crystallization of PVDF in the blends containing s‐PMMA is faster than that in the blends containing the linear PMMA. The surface‐folding free energy of PVDF chains in the blends containing s‐PMMA is significantly lower than those in the blends containing l‐PMMA. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2580–2593, 2007     

Electrospun octa(3-chloropropyl)-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-modified polyvinylidene fluoride/poly(acrylonitrile)/poly(methylmethacrylate) gel polymer electrolyte for high-performance lithium ion battery

Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) based on octa(3-chloropropyl)-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OCP-POSS)-modified polyvinylidene fluoride/poly(acrylonitrile) /poly(methylmethacrylate) (PVDF/PAN/PMMA) fibrous membrane was prepared by electrospinning method to improve the thermal stability of GPE and prevent the leakage of liquid electrolyte for lithium ion battery. The effect of OCP-POSS content on the morphology, porosity and electrolyte uptake, mechanical strength, thermal stability of spinning fibrous membrane and ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability window, and interface resistance of GPE was investigated. The cycle performance of cells assembled with GPE was also tested. The results show that the spinning fibrous membrane with 10 wt% OCP-POSS possesses high electrolyte uptake (660%) and excellent thermal stability. The ionic conductivity of corresponding GPE is 9.23 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 at room temperature and the electrochemical stability window is up to 5.82 V; the interface resistance of 10 wt% OCP-POSS modified GPE decreases by 42% after 168 h compared with pure PVDF/PAN/PMMA GPE. Furthermore, cells assembled with 10 wt% OCP-POSS modified GPE show high discharge capacity (166.5 mA h g^?1 at 0.1 C) and excellent cycle stability during 50 cycles. The results indicate that the GPE could improve the safety of lithium ion battery and show great potential in lithium ion battery applications.     

相分离对聚偏氟乙烯/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯共混物的力学与耐紫外老化性能的影响

采用熔融共混法制备聚偏氟乙烯/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯( PVDF/PMMA)共混物,考察其力学性能、耐紫外老化性能、熔体动态流变、结晶与热分解行为.PMMA含量(wPMMA)为10 wt％时,共混物形成均相结构,力学与耐老化性能最好.wPMMA≥20 wt％时,PMMA形成球状聚集体,共混物力学性能与耐候性显著降低.PMMA的存在可提高PVDF的结晶度,降低熔融温度,但不改变PVDF晶体结构.     

Crystallization behavior and hydrophilicity of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA)/poly(styrene-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-acrylonitrile) (SAN) ternary blends

Compatibilization of the partially miscible poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) pair by a third homopolymer, i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), was investigated in relation to cross section morphology, crystallization behaviors and hydrophilicity of the polyblends. Scanning electron microscopy showed a more regular and homogeneous morphology when more than 15 wt.% PMMA was incorporated. The samples presented only α phase regardless of PMMA content in the blend. As the PMMA content increased in the blends, the interactions between each component were enhanced, and the crystallization of PVDF was limited, leading to a decreasing of the crystallinity and the crystallite thickness. Besides, the hydrophilicity of PVDF was further improved by PMMA addition. The sample containing 15 wt.% PMMA showed a more hydrophilic property due to the more polar part of surface tension induced by PMMA addition. Observed from the cross section of the blends, the miscibility of partially miscible PVDF/SAN blends were efficiently improved by PMMA incorporation.     

Stereocomplex poly(lactic acid) vascular stents by 3D‐printing with long chain branching structures: Toward desirable crystallization properties and mechanical performance

Using pyromelliticdianhydride (PMDA) and polyfunctional epoxy ether (PFE) as branching agent, long chain branching stereocomplex poly(L‐lactide)s and poly(D‐lactide)s was prepared by reactive processing, respectably. Then stereocomplex poly(lactide)s of long chain branching PLLA and PDLA (sc‐PLA/BA) was prepared by solution blending and its fabricated the vascular stents via 3D‐printing.The effects of branching structure on melt crystallization behavior of sc‐PLA/BA investigated by DSC. The influence of the branching agent content on the crystallization ability of samples shows a bell‐shaped relationship, there is a maximum point when the branching agent content is1.5 wt%. When the branching agent content is less than 1.5 wt%, the crystallization ability of the sample increased with the increasing of branching agent content. When the branching agent content exceeded than 1.5 wt%, the crystallization ability of the samples decreased with branching agent content increasing. Such behavior is as the linear PLA branched to dendrite configuration, the enrichment of segments around branching structure within branched chains promoted its nucleation. But the high degree of branching caused inter‐ or intrachians entanglement which obstructed the segments movement and growth into the crystals. The half‐time of crystallization (t_1/2) of the samples decreased from 6 minutes for initial sc‐PLA/BA‐0 to 3 minutes of sc‐PLA/BA‐1.5 wt% at 163°C. POM results indicated that nucleation density of sc‐PLA/BA significantly increased with the branching agent increasing. Moreover, mechanical testing demonstrated that forming branching structure could be an effective modification of the mechanical properties for sc‐PLA, its tensile strength and modulus increases from 57.3 MPa and 2.02 GPa to 70.4 MPa and 3.31 GPa, respectively. TGA results analyzed by FWO method and Kissinger method, indicated the apparent activation energy of sc‐PLA/BA samples increases from 96.8 to 113.3 kJ/mol, suggesting the improvement of heat resistance. The CCK‐8 assay, ALP assay and cell Live/Dead assay results indicated that sc‐PLA with branching structure presented very low cell cytotoxicity. Therefore, the long chain branching sc‐PLA matrix with branching agent could effectively improve its crystallization abilities, mechanical properties, heat resistance and biocompatibilities.     

Evident improvements in the rigidity,toughness, and electrical conductivity of PVDF/HDPE blend with selectively localized carbon nanotube

In this work, carbon nanotube (CNT) was used to fabricate poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) blend-based nanocomposites via a Haake mixer. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the CNT was mainly selectively located in the HDPE dispersed domains. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that CNT addition improved the thermal stability of the blend (up to 61 °C increase at 3-phr CNT loading at 40 wt% loss) in air environment. Differential scanning calorimetry results revealed the enhanced nucleation of individual PVDF and HDPE upon crystallization in the composites; the presence of CNT inceased the stability of PVDF crystals. CNT addition increased the heat distortion temperature of the blend by up to 27 °C at 3-phr CNT loading. The complex viscosity and storage modulus increased due to the CNT pseudo-network formation in the reduce-sized HDPE phase of the composites. The rigidity of the blend was significantly improved after the addition of CNT. The impact strength of the blend increased by up to 66% after 2-phr CNT loading, and the electrical resistivity of the blend decreased by up to nine orders at 3-phr CNT loading due to the double percolation-like morphology formation.     

Thermorheological complexity of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) miscible polymer blend: Terminal and segmental levels

Oscillatory shear rheometry data for a miscible blend of 20 wt % poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shows breakdown of time–temperature superposition for this blend. A comparison between glass transition temperature which PMMA chains sense in the blend and effective glass transition temperature of this component indicates that, the Lodge–McLeish model can describe terminal dynamics of PMMA. In addition, terminal dynamics of PVDF chains in the blend is similar to that of its pure state in agreement with the mentioned model. At segmental level, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of four wholly amorphous blends suggests that cooperativity of molecular motions decreases upon addition of 30 and 40 wt % PVDF to PMMA. This behavior has been confirmed via calculation of degree of fragility which presumably is attributed to strong tendency of PVDF chains to self‐association rather than inter‐association with PMMA chains according to the FTIR results. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2860–2870, 2007     

Fabrication of Cu(OH)_2 Nanowires Blended Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Ultrafiltration Membranes for Oil-Water Separation

Cu(OH)_2 nanowires were prepared and incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) to fabricate Cu(OH)_2-PVDF ultrafiltration(UF) membrane via immersion precipitation phase inversion process. The effect of Cu(OH)_2 nanowires on the morphology of membranes was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy(AFM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) measurements. The results showed that all the Cu(OH)_2-PVDF membranes had wider fingerlike pore structure and better hydrophilicity, smoother surface than pristine PVDF membrane due to the incorporation of Cu(OH)_2 nanowires. In addition, water flux and bovine serum albumin(BSA) rejection were also measured to investigate the filtration performance of membranes. The results indicated that all the Cu(OH)_2-PVDF membranes had high water flux, outstanding BSA rejection and excellent antifouling properties. It is worth mentioning that the optimized performance could be obtained when the Cu(OH)_2 nanowires content reached 1.2 wt%. Furthermore, the membrane with 1.2 wt% Cu(OH)_2 nanowires showed outstanding oil-water emulsion separation capability.     

Crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene oxide) confined in semicrystalline poly(vinylidene) fluoride

Polymer blends based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) have been prepared to analyze the crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene oxide) confined in semicrystalline PVDF with different ratios of both polymers. Both blend components were dissolved in a common solvent, dimethyl formamide. Blend films were obtained by casting from the solution at 70 °C. Thus, PVDF crystals are formed by crystallization from the solution while PEO (which is in the liquid state during the whole process) is confined between PVDF crystallites. The kinetics of crystallization of the confined PEO phase was studied by isothermal and nonisothermal experiments. Fitting of Avrami model to the experimental DSC traces allows a quantitative comparison of the influence of the PVDF/PEO ratio in the blend on the crystallization behavior. The effect of melting and further recrystallization of the PVDF matrix on PEO confinement is also studied. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 588–597     

Crystallization and morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) blends. II. Morphology and crystallization kinetics by time resolved X‐ray scattering

The development of the morphology in poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PVDF/PHB) blends upon isothermal and anisothermal crystallization is investigated by time‐resolved small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. The components are completely miscible in the melt but crystallize separately; they crystallize stepwise at different temperatures or sequentially with isothermal or anisothermal conditions, respectively. The PVDF crystallizes undisturbed whereas PHB crystallizes in a confined space that is determined by the existing supermolecular structure of the PVDF. The investigations reveal that composition inhomogeneities may initially develop in the remaining melt or in the amorphous phases of the PVDF upon crystallization of that component. The subsequent crystallization of the PHB depends on these heterogeneities and the supermolecular structure of PVDF (dendritically or globularly spherulitic). PHB may form separate spherulites that start to grow from the melt, or it may develop “interlocking spherulites” that start to grow from inside a PVDF spherulite. Occasionally, a large number of PVDF spherulites may be incorporated into PHB interlocking spherulites. The separate PHB spherulites may intrude into the PVDF spherulites upon further growth, which results in “interpenetrating spherulites.” Interlocking and interpenetrating are realized by the growth of separate lamellar stacks (“fibrils”) of the blend components. There is no interlamellar growth. The growth direction of the PHB fibrils follows that of the existing PVDF fibrils. Depending on the distribution of the PHB molecules on the interlamellar and interfibrillar PVDF regions, the lamellar arrangement of the PVDF may contract or expand upon PHB crystallization and the adjacent fibrils of the two components are linked or clearly separated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 974–985, 2004     

Synergistic Effect of Nucleation and Compatibilization on the Polylactide and Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Blend Films

Polylactide(PLA) films blended with 10 wt% poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)(PBAT) were prepared by using a twin screw extruder in the presence of the nucleating agent of titanium dioxide(TiO_2) and the compatibilizers of toluene diisocyanate(TDI) and PLA-grafted-maleic anhydride(PLA-g-MA). The synergistic effect of the nucleation and compatibilization on the properties and crystallization behavior of the PLA/PBAT(PLB) films was explored. The results showed that the addition of TiO_2 significantly enhanced the tensile strength and the impact tensile resistance of the PLB films while slightly decreased its thermal stability. In addition, the compatibilizers of TDI and PLA-g-MA in the system not only affected the crystallinity and cold crystallization process of the PLB films, but also increased the mechanical properties of them due to the improvement of the interfacial interaction between PLA and PBAT revealed by the morphological measurement. The synergistic effects of the nucleating agent and the compatibilizer afforded the blend films with increased tensile strength and impact tensile toughness, improved cold crystallization property and X_c.     

Crystallization and morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) blends. III. Crystallization and phase diagram by differential scanning calorimetry

The crystallization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) blends was studied with differential scanning calorimetry, from which the phase diagram was derived. Strong miscibility was underlined by the large negative Flory–Huggins interaction parameter (?0.25). The crystallization of the blend components differed remarkably. Whereas PVDF always crystallized in the surroundings of a homogeneous melt, PHB crystallized in a volume that was confined by the already existing PVDF spherulites, partly in their surroundings and partly inside. Under isothermal conditions, PVDF usually crystallized regularly in three dimensions with predominant quench‐induced athermal nucleation. The Avrami exponent for PVDF dendritic spherulitic growth was, however, distinctly smaller than that for compact growth, and this revealed the two‐dimensional lamellar growth inside. This deviation from ideal Avrami behavior was caused by the development of compositional inhomogeneities as PVDF crystallization proceeded, and this decelerated the kinetics. PHB crystallized three‐dimensionally with mixed thermal and athermal nucleation outside the PVDF spherulites. Inside the PVDF spherulites, PHB crystallization proceeded in a fibrillar fashion with thermal nucleation; the growth front followed the amorphous paths inside the dendritic PVDF spherulites. The crystallization was faster than that in the melt of uncrystallized PVDF. Solid PVDF acts possibly heterogeneously nucleating, accelerating PHB crystallization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 287–295, 2005