Significantly Enhanced Crystallization of Poly(ethylene succinate-co-1,2-propylene succinate) by Cellulose Nanocrystals as an Efficient Nucleating Agent

Poly(ethylene succinate-co-1,2-propylene succinate) (PEPS) is a novel aliphatic biodegradable polyester with good mechanical properties. Due to the presence of methyl as a side group, the crystallization rate of PEPS is remarkably slower than that of the poly(ethylene succinate) homopolymer. To promote the potential application of PEPS, the effect of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) on the crystallization behavior, crystalline morphology, and crystal structure of PEPS was investigated in this research with the aim of increasing the crystallization rate. CNC enhanced both the melt crystallization behavior of PEPS during the cooling process and the overall crystallization rate during the isothermal crystallization process. The crystallization rate of PEPS became faster with an increase in CNC content. The crystalline morphology study directly confirmed the heterogeneous nucleating agent role of CNC. The crystal structure of PEPS remained unchanged in the composites. On the basis of the interfacial energy, the nucleation mechanism of PEPS in the composites was further discussed by taking into consideration the induction of CNC.

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The Influence of DMDBS on Crystallization Behavior and Crystalline Morphology of Weakly-Phase-Separated Olefin Block Copolymer

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym11030552 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 552

Author(s):

Yongsheng Zhao ◽

Cheng Yao ◽

Tao Chang ◽

Yanling Zhu

Keyword(s):

Block Copolymer ◽

Isothermal Crystallization ◽

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Crystal Size ◽

Composition Dependence ◽

Crystallization Process ◽

Crystallization Rate ◽

Nucleating Agent ◽

Crystalline Morphology ◽

Hard Segments

Olefin block copolymer (OBC), with its low hard segments, can form unique space-filling spherulites other than confined-crystallization morphologies, mainly due to its weak phase-separation. In this work, 1,3;2,4-Bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol (DMDBS), a well-known nucleating agent, was used to tailor the crystallization behavior and crystalline morphology of OBC. It was found that DMDBS can precipitate within an OBC matrix and self-assemble into crystalline fibrils when cooling from the melt. A non-isothermal crystallization process exhibited an increased crystallization rate and strong composition dependence. During the isothermal crystallization process, DMDBS showed a more obvious nucleating efficiency at a higher crystallization temperature. OBC showed typical spherulites when DMDBS was added. Moreover, a low addition of DMDBS significantly decreased the crystal size, while a large addition of DMDBS induced aggregates, due to the limited miscibility of DMDBS with OBC. The efficient nucleating effect of DMDBS on OBC led to an increased optical transparency for OBC/DMDBS composites.

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Effect of the Nucleating Agent BN on Crystallization Properties of P(3HB-co-4HB)

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.627.827 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 627 ◽

pp. 827-830

Author(s):

Bing Xin Sun ◽

Xu Qiao Feng ◽

Cheng Zhi Chuai ◽

Ying Guo ◽

Si Luo

Keyword(s):

Crystal Structure ◽

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Crystallization Rate ◽

Nucleating Agent ◽

Structure And Morphology ◽

Crystallization Properties

The crystallization properties of P(3HB-co-4HB) modified with nucleating agent BN was studied. DSC is used to analyze the melting crystallization behavior and POM is used to characterize crystal structure and morphology. The results show the incorporation of BN decreased the spherulite size, increased the crystallization rate and improved the crystallization properties of P(3HB-co-4HB).

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Crystallization Behavior of PLA/PEG/Nucleating Agent Blends

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.807-809.578 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 807-809 ◽

pp. 578-581 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jin Xu Dai ◽

Qiang Yang ◽

Bao Jian Liu

Keyword(s):

Crystal Structure ◽

Polyethylene Glycol ◽

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Crystallization Rate ◽

Nucleating Agent ◽

Nucleating Agents ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

X Ray ◽

Crystallization Ability ◽

Co Precipitation

A series of PLA blends were prepared by solution co-precipitation of polylactide (PLA), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and different crystallization nucleating agents. The crystallization behavior of blends was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the crystallization ability of PLA blends was accelerated by plasticizer PEG, but the crystal structure of the obtained PLA blends was imperfect; the crystal structure and crystallization rate of the PLA blends were improved with the addition of nucleating agent, moreover, the crystallinity was 34.1% and 36.5%, respectively.

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UIO-66 as Nucleating Agent on the Crystallization Behavior and Properties of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13142266 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 2266

Author(s):

Yue Yin ◽

Yuan Wang ◽

Linghui Meng

Keyword(s):

Tensile Strength ◽

Specific Surface ◽

Crystallization Temperature ◽

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Ethylene Terephthalate ◽

Crystallization Rate ◽

Nucleating Agent ◽

High Specific Surface Area ◽

Poly Ethylene Terephthalate ◽

Poly Ethylene

In this study, not only was the similar terephthalate structure between UIO-66 and PET utilized to improve compatibility, but the Zr4+ exposed by defects of UIO-66 was also utilized to improve the interaction between PET and UIO-66. Furthermore, PET nanocomposites with different contents of UIO-66 were also fabricated. Due to the high specific surface area and coordination of Zr4+, UIO-66 has high nucleation efficiency in the PET matrix. Compared with pure PET, the crystallization rate of PET/UIO-66 nanocomposite is significantly increased, and the crystallization temperature of PET-UIO66-1 is significantly increased from 194.3 °C to 211.6 °C. In addition, the tensile strength of nanocomposites has also been improved due to coordination.

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Effect of Cyanuric Acid as an Efficient Nucleating Agent on the Crystallization of Novel Biodegradable Branched Poly(Ethylene Succinate)

Macromol ◽

10.3390/macromol1020009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 112-120

Author(s):

Kangjing Zhang ◽

Zhaobin Qiu

Keyword(s):

Cyanuric Acid ◽

Crystallization Rate ◽

Nucleating Agent ◽

Crystallization Mechanism ◽

Nucleation Density ◽

Half Time ◽

Melt Crystallization ◽

Casting Method ◽

Crystallization Peak ◽

Poly Ethylene

Novel biodegradable branched poly(ethylene succinate) (b-PES) composites, i.e., nucleated b-PES samples, were prepared by incorporating low loadings of cyanuric acid (CA) through a solution and casting method to enhance the crystallization rate. As an efficient nucleating agent, CA could remarkably increase the nonisothermal melt crystallization peak temperature, shorten the crystallization half-time, accelerate the overall isothermal melt crystallization, and enhance the nucleation density of b-PES spherulites in the composites. Despite the addition of CA, the crystallization mechanism and crystal structure of b-PES remained unchanged. A possible epitaxial crystallization mechanism may account for the nucleation of b-PES crystals induced by CA.

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Cationic Cyclopentadienyliron Complex as a Novel and Successful Nucleating Agent on the Crystallization Behavior of the Biodegradable PHB Polymer

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules23102703 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (10) ◽

pp. 2703 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Safaa El-Taweel ◽

Arwa Al-Ahmadi ◽

Omaima Alhaddad ◽

Rawda Okasha

Keyword(s):

Crystal Structure ◽

Isothermal Crystallization ◽

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Effective Activation Energy ◽

Nucleating Agent ◽

Melt Crystallization ◽

Avrami Model ◽

Polymeric Chains ◽

Massive Number ◽

Remarkable Reduction

Cationic cyclopentadienyliron (CpFe+) is one of the most fruitful organometallic moieties that has been utilized to mediate the facile synthesis of a massive number of macromolecules. However, the ability of this compound to function as a nucleating agent to improve other macromolecule properties has not been explored. This report scrutinizes the influence of the cationic complex as a novel nucleating agent on the spherulitic morphology, crystal structure, and isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization behavior of the Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) bacterial origin. The incorporation of the CpFe+ into the PHB materials caused a significant increase in its spherulitic numbers with a remarkable reduction in the spherulitic sizes. Unlike other nucleating agents, the SEM imageries exhibited a good dispersion without forming agglomerates of the CpFe+ moieties in the PHB matrix. Moreover, according to the FTIR analysis, the cationic organoiron complex has a strong interaction with the PHB polymeric chains via the coordination with its ester carbonyl. Yet, the XRD results revealed that this incorporation had no significant effect on the PHB crystalline structure. Though the CpFe+ had no effect on the polymer’s crystal structure, it accelerated outstandingly the melt crystallization of the PHB. Meanwhile, the crystallization half-times (t0.5) of the PHB decreased dramatically with the addition of the CpFe+. The isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization processes were successfully described using the Avrami model and a modified Avrami model, as well as a combination of the Avrami and Ozawa methods. Finally, the effective activation energy of the PHB/CpFe+ nanocomposites was much lower than those of their pure counterparts, which supported the heterogeneous nucleation mechanism with the organometallic moieties, indicating that the CpFe+ is a superior nucleating agent for this class of polymer.

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Enhanced crystallization rate of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-ethylene succinate) by poly(butylene fumarate) as an efficient polymeric nucleating agent

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/c5ra21297a ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (117) ◽

pp. 96290-96296 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Fan Meng ◽

Zhaobin Qiu

Keyword(s):

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Crystallization Rate ◽

Nucleating Agent ◽

Melt Crystallization ◽

Butylene Succinate ◽

Biodegradable Poly

PBF may significantly enhance the nonisothermal melt crystallization behavior of biodegradable PBES by acting as an efficient polymeric nucleating agent.

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The Synthesis of Biodegradable Poly(L-Lactic Acid)-Polyethylene Glycols Copolymer/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites and Analysis of the Crystallization Properties

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min12010014 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 14

Author(s):

Jiunn-Jer Hwang ◽

Su-Mei Huang ◽

Wen-Yang Lin ◽

Hsin-Jiant Liu ◽

Cheng-Chan Chuang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Isothermal Crystallization ◽

Crystallization Process ◽

Crystallization Rate ◽

Nucleating Agent ◽

Silicate Layer ◽

Polyethylene Glycols ◽

Melt Crystallization ◽

Scanning Calorimetry ◽

Study Results

This study makes use of polycondensation to produce poly (L-lactic acid)-(polyethylene glycols), a biodegradable copolymer, then puts it with organically modified montmorillonite (o-MMT) going through an intercalation process to produce a series of nanocomposites of PLLA-PEG/o-MMT. The exfoliation and intercalation of the montmorillonite-layered structure could be found through X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The lower the molecular weight of poly (ethylene glycol), the more obvious the exfoliation and dispersion. The nanocomposites were investigated under non-isothermal crystallization and isothermal crystallization separately via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). After the adding of o-MMT to PLLA-PEG copolymers, it was found that the PLLA-PEG nanocomposites crystallized slowly and the crystallization peak tended to become broader during the non-isothermal crystallization process. Furthermore, the thermal curve of the non-isothermal melt crystallization process of PLLA-PEG copolymers with different proportions of o-MMT showed that the melting point decreased gradually with the increase of o-MMT content. In the measurement of isothermal crystallization, increasing the o-MMT of the PLLA-PEG copolymers would increase the t1/2 (crystallization half time) for crystallization and decrease the value of ΔHc. However, the present study results suggest that adding o-MMT could affect the crystallization rate of PLLA-PEG copolymers. The o-MMT silicate layer was uniformly dispersed in the PLLA-PEG copolymers, forming a nucleating agent. The crystallization rate and the regularity of the crystals changed with the increase of the o-MMT content, which further affected the crystallization enthalpies.

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A study on the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) induced by chemical degradation nucleation

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/c7ra06823a ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (59) ◽

pp. 37139-37147 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Diran Wang ◽

Faliang Luo ◽

Zhiyuan Shen ◽

Xuejian Wu ◽

Yaping Qi

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Ethylene Terephthalate ◽

Crystallization Rate ◽

Chemical Degradation ◽

Carboxylate Anion ◽

Nucleate Agent ◽

Poly Ethylene Terephthalate ◽

Poly Ethylene ◽

Pet Crystallization

In order to overcome low crystallization rate of PET, HPN-68L was selected to replace the special nucleate agent of PET to improve PET crystallization for its carboxylate anion structure which usually showed high induced nucleation ability for PET.

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Melt Crystallization Behavior and Crystalline Morphology of Polylactide/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Blends Compatibilized by Lactide-Caprolactone Copolymer

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym10111181 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1181 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Chunmei Zhang ◽

Qiaofeng Lan ◽

Tianliang Zhai ◽

Shengqiang Nie ◽

Jun Luo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Crystallization Time ◽

Half Time ◽

Melt Crystallization ◽

Crystalline Morphology ◽

Casting Method ◽

Three Samples ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Compatibilization Effect ◽

Kinetics Of

Lactide-Caprolactone copolymer (LACL) was added to a Polylactide/Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLA/PCL) blend as a compatibilizer through solution mixing and the casting method. The melt crystallization behavior and crystalline morphology of PLA, PLA/PCL, and PLA/PCL/LACL were investigated using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM), respectively. The temperature of the shortest crystallization time for the samples was observed at 105 °C. The overall isothermal melt crystallization kinetics of the three samples were further studied using the Avrami theory. Neat PLA showed a higher half-time of crystallization than that of the PLA/PCL and PLA/PCL/LACL blends, whereas the half-time of crystallization of PLA/PCL and PLA/PCL/LACL showed no significant difference. The addition of PCL decreased the spherulite size of crystallized PLA, and the nuclei density in the PLA/PCL/LACL blend was much higher than that of the PLA and PLA/PCL samples, indicating that LACL had a compatibilization effect on the immiscible PLA/PCL blend, thereby promoting the nucleation of PLA. The spherulites in the PLA/PCL and PLA/PCL/LACL blend exhibited a smeared and rough morphology, which can be attributed to the fact that PCL molecules migrated to the PLA spherulitic surface during the crystallization of PLA.

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