Amphiphilic biodegradable poly(CL-b-PEG-b-CL) triblock copolymers prepared by novel rare earth complex: Synthesis and crystallization properties

Amphiphilic biodegradable poly(CL-b-PEG-b-CL) triblock copolymers have been successfully prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) employing yttrium tris(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) [Y(DBMP)₃] as catalyst and double-hydroxyl capped PEGs (DHPEG) as macro-initiator. The triblock architecture, molecular weight, thermal and crystallization properties of the copolymers were characterized by NMR spectra, SEC, DSC and WAXD analyses. The isothermal crystallization behavior of the copolymers was investigated by POM analysis in detail, which is greatly influenced by the length of PCL and PEG blocks. On the POM micrograph of PEG_10,000-(PCL₈₆₀₀)₂, a unique morphology of concentric spherulites was observed due to the sequent crystallization of the PCL and PEG blocks.     

Thermoanalytical Study of O,O'-Dibenzoyl-(2R,3R)-Tartaric Acid Supramolecular Compounds Part II. Investigation of the resolution of racemic alcohols

The resolution of three chiral alcohols with O,O'-dibenzoyl-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid (DBTA) via diastereoisomeric supramolecular compound formation was investigated with thermoanalytical methods. On the basis of TG measurements the DBTA:chiral alcohol molar ratio in the compounds is 1:1 which agrees with the results of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The DBTA – chiral alcohol supramolecular compounds have different supramolecular structure than the DBTA – achiral alcohol supramolecular compounds. The supramolecular compounds containing cyclohexanols have higher thermal stability than the compounds containing acyclic aliphatic alcohols. The amount of unreacted DBTA monohydrate in the solid phase can be determined both with DSC and with TG measurements. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Formation and Crystallization Behavior of Gels in the Na2O-SiO2-TiO2-ZrO2 System

SiO₂-TiO₂-ZrO₂ and 5Na₂O·95(SiO₂ + TiO₂ + ZrO₂) gels were synthesized and role of Na₂O in gel formation and crystallization behavior of gels were studied. From Si(OC₂H₅)₄, Ti(iso-OC₃H₇)₄, Zr(n-OC₃H₇)₄ and NaOCH₃ solutions in EtOH without H₂O, transparent and opaque gels were obtained. Opaque bulk gels, rich in TiO₂ or ZrO₂ composition in Na₂O containing SiO₂-TiO₂-ZrO₂ system, contain agglomerated spherical particles of diameter small <10 m, in contrast with opaque gels having large particles <30 m in alkali-free SiO₂-TiO₂-ZrO₂ system. Crystallization temperature (Tc) was measured by DTA on dried gels. Compared with the alkali-free SiO₂-TiO₂-ZrO₂ gels, 5 mol% Na₂O containing gels gave lower Tc in SiO₂ rich compositions and higher in TiO₂ rich or ZrO₂ rich compositions.     

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF KINETICS OF NONISOTHERMAL CRYSTALLIZATION OF POLYMERS

The classical crystallization theories proposed by Avrami, Evans, and Mandelkern wereextended to the nonisothermal situation. The expressions derived from the classical equations canbe expressed in either the differential form or the integral form. A method was provided so as toobtain the parameters characterizing the crystallization rate and mechanism from DSC curves withseveral constant heating or cooling rates. The rate constants of crystallization obtained from bothisothermal and nonisothermal curves of poly(ethylene terephthalate)were compared.     

Effect of carbon nanotubes on the crystallization and properties of polypropylene

The effect of different concentrations of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics, morphology, and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) matrix composites obtained by melt compounding was investigated by means of X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, optical and scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Microscopy showed well‐dispersed nanotube ropes together with small and large aggregates. The modulus was found to increase by about 75% at a level of 0.5 wt % nanotubes. The SWNTs displayed a clear nucleating effect on the PP crystallization, favoring the α crystalline form rather than the β form. The crystallization kinetics analysis showed a significant increase in activation energy on incorporating nanotubes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2445–2453, 2005     

Crystallization of polymers in variable external conditions

General equations of crystallization in variable conditions derived in the former paper [1] have been applied to non-isothermal crystallization of unstressed and unoriented polymers. Crystallization rate involving transient and athermal effects is controlled by temperature,T, and cooling rate,. Experimental procedures leading to determination of three temperature-dependent material functions: steady-state crystallization rate,K _st(T), relaxation time, (T), and athermal nucleation function, Z(T), are outlined.     

Crystallization of poly(N-methyldodecano-12-lactam) in blends with poly(styrene-stat-acrylic acid)

Crystallization behaviour of blends of poly(N-methyldodecano-12-lactam) (PMDL) with statistical copolymer poly(styrene-stat-acrylic acid) (PSAA) has been studied by the DSC and WAXD methods. The blend films prepared from dioxane solutions were crystallized at laboratory temperature for five days. Approximate crystallinities of as-prepared neat lower- PMDL 5 and higher-molecular weight PMDL 45 were 28% and 19%, respectively. With increasing PSAA content in the blends the crystallinities decreased sharply. The melting point of the primary crystalline structure of PMDL showed a decreasing dependence on PSAA content in the blends, confirming miscibility of the PMDL-PSAA pair. Recrystallization was strongly suppressed in the blends. The lower-melting endotherm appearing at about 10-15 °C above the crystallization temperature was attributed to melting to less perfect structures formed during secondary crystallization. In neat PMDL, the extent of secondary crystallization was approximately 5-10%. In the blends containing 20% PSAA approximate relative proportion of secondary crystallites on total crystallinity was 40% and 60% for the blends with PMDL 5 and PMDL 45, respectively. WAXD measurements did not reveal any change in crystal modification on blending. Increased T_g in blends of flexible PMDL cannot play a significant role in suppression of primary in favour of secondary crystallization. This was attributed to low mobility of PMDL chains due to dilution effect and specific interactions with the amorphous copolymer component, and, in case of the higher-molecular-weight PMDL, a greater involvement of entanglements. Higher T_g of blends was involved in retardation of non-isothermal crystallization on cooling and subsequent cold crystallization.     

Effect of temperature of liquid sulphur on kinetics of transformation of chains in its amorphous modification

The rate of transformation of the chains in amorphous sulphur was examined by calorimetry at 298 K. The amorphous samples were remelted at the temperatureT _f in the range from 458 to 573 K. Increase ofT _f decreased the transformation rate. The results satisfy the equationX=1-exp[-(kt)^z] (X=transformation degree,t=time, andk andz=constants). A one-stage transformation was observed for samples remelted atT _f473 K. ForT _f 523 K, transformation in two stages was observed.The effects ofT _f on the kinetics of nucleation and the growth of the nuclei are discussed.     

交联1,4—顺式聚丁二烯的取向结晶

用ＷＡＸＤ和ＳＡＸＳ研究交联１，４－顺式聚丁二烯的取向结晶。结果表明：该试样在拉伸状态时，形成折叠链片晶，而不是伸直链纤维晶。片晶之间断产生新的片晶，使长周期减小，并且片晶的横向尺寸不断增大，由此导致结晶度增大。     

Study of formation of nano-quasicrystals and crystallization kinetics of Zr-Al-Ni-Cu metallic glass

The formation of nano-quasicrystals on isothermal annealing of melt-spun ribbons of Zr_69.5Al_7.5Ni₁₁Cu₁₂ metallic glass has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The crystallization study of this metallic glass has been carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in non-isothermal (linear heating) mode. It exhibits two-stage crystallization where the first stage corresponds to the precipitation of icosohedral nano-quasicrystalline phase. This has been confirmed with the help of TEM investigations. The crystallization parameters like the activation energy (E _c) and frequency factor (k ₀) have been derived using the Kissinger peak shift analysis. The activation energies for the first and second crystallization peak are found to be 278 and 295 kJ mol^–1, respectively. The frequency factors obtained for the two peaks are respectively 7.16·10¹⁹ and 1.42·10²⁰ s^–1. E _c, k ₀ and the Avrami exponent (n) have also been derived by fitting the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) equation for the transformed volume fraction (x) to the crystallization data. JMAK results of E _c for the first and second crystallization peak turn out to be 270 and 290 kJ mol^–1 respectively. However, k ₀ and n are found to be heating rate dependent as reported in similar studies. The values of n for the first crystallization stage ranges between 1.66 and 2.57 indicating diffusion-controlled transformation in agreement with earlier reports.