Dynamic crystallization behavior of PA-12/PP-MWCNT nanocomposites: non-isothermal kinetics approach

The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) loading on the crystallization behavior of matrix polyamide 12 (PA-12), in PA-12/polypropylene-MWCNT (PP-MWCNT)-based nanocomposites were analyzed for their non-isothermal crystallization behavior at various cooling rates of 2.5–20 °C/min in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Several kinetic models such as Jeziorny (modified-Avrami), Mo and Tobin models were employed to analyze the crystallization behavioral trend with respect to time and temperature of the nanocomposites. The crystallization rate increased half-time of crystallization with MWCNT content as estimated from the Jeziorny theory. The linear agreement between Jeziorny model and experimental relative crystallinity outperforms the Tobin analysis where the coefficient of linear regression was found to be considerably trailing behind and off the satisfactory mark. The Mo model accounts for the percentage crystallinity and thereby successfully explained the crystallization behavior of PA-12 where the kinetic parameters increased with crystallinity indicating higher cooling rate for higher crystallinity. The MWCNT induced crystallization (nucleation activity) values were close to zero irrespective of MWCNT loading which reiterates the enhanced crystallization (rate) of PA-12 in the nanocomposites. Estimations based on Friedman approach showed inter-relationship between activation energy and crystallinity where the later was found to be governed by major (matrix) PA-12 phase.

Crystallization of a Self-Assembling Nucleator in Poly(l-lactide) Melt

In the present work, crystallization of a soluble nucleator N, N', N″-tricyclohexyl-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylamide (TMC-328) in a poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) matrix has been studied at different temperatures. Based on the change in solubility with temperature, different levels of supersaturation of TMC-328 in a PLLA matrix can be obtained. This nucleator presents a fibrous structure produced via self-assembling and develops into an interconnected network when the temperature is lowered. The TMC-328 crystal nuclei density is quantified via optical microscopy, using the average distance of the adjacent fibrillar structure, which shows a steady decrease with the decrease in temperature. The crystallization rates of TMC-328 were assessed through rheological measurements of network formation. Both fibrils' density and crystallization kinetics display a power law dependence on supersaturation. For the first time, the solid-melt interfacial energy, the size of the critical nucleus, and the number of molecules making up the critical nucleus of the nucleator TMC-328 in the PLLA matrix have been determined by adopting the classical nucleation theory. The subsequent crystallization of PLLA induced by this nucleator was investigated as a function of the fibrils' spatial density. The crystallization rate of PLLA is enhanced with the increase in the TMC-328 fibrils' density because of the availability of a larger nucleating surface. The self-assembled fibril of TMC-328 can serve as shish to form a hybrid shish-kebab structure after the crystallization of PLLA, regardless of the number of nucleation sites.

The Effect of Molecular Parameters on the Thermal Behavior of Recycled and Virgin Polyamides and Their Glass Fiber Composites

A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of molecular weight and molecular structure on non-isothermal crystallization behavior of recycled and virgin polyamides (PA) and their corresponding glass fiber (GF) composites. Two different recycled polyamides (PA), namely post-industrial waste (PIW) and post-consumer waste (PCW) were used. The former was obtained from a fiber manufacturer and the latter was recycled from used carpets. The molecular weights of the resins were measured by intrinsic viscosity (IV) measurements and 13carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR). The NMR technique also provided information on PA structure, cis and trans amide conformers content and residual unreacted monomer. Non-isothermal crystallization of the resins was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The molecular weights of recycled materials were higher than that of virgin injection molding grade PA-6. However, the crystallization rates (indicated by t1/2) of recycled resins were faster. It could be attributed to the presence of TiO2 in recycled materials. Moreover, the higher cis-amide conformer content of recycled resins suggested higher segmental mobility. On the other hand, the crystallization rate of composites based on recycled PA-6 was slower than that of composites based on the virgin PA-6. The suppression of crystallization rate was apparently due to PA-66 added during the preparation of reinforced recycled resins. This behavior was confirmed by model compounds based on PA-6/PA-66 blends.