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Isothermal crystallization kinetics of polymers

Abstract:

Polymer crystallization can be described as a phase transition process from the disorder isotropic melt to the order semicrystalline one. This chapter takes a practical approach to briefly explain how to experimentally determine both spherulitic growth rates by polarized light optical Microscopy (PLOM) and overall isothermal crystallization kinetics by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It gives examples on how to fit the data using both the Avrami theory and the Lauritzen and Hoffman theory. Both theories provide useful analytical equations that when properly handled represent valuable tools to understand crystallization kinetics and its relationship with morphology. In addition, examples of isothermal crystallization kinetics, and its relation with morphology, of different materials, ranging from neat polymers, to blends, block copolymers, and nanocomposites were provided. Experimental ways to separate the contributions of nucleation and growth were also highlighted.