Crystallization of thermotropic liquid crystalline HBA/HNA copolymers

Annealing effect of thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester fibers on thermo-mechanical properties and morphology

A series of thermotropic liquid crystal copolyesters (Co-TLCPs) was prepared by melt polymerization using 2,5-diethoxyterephthalic acid (DTA), 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) monomers, where the HBA content was varied (0-5 mol). At 3 mol HBA, the Co-TLCPs formed nematic mesophases, while below this concentration, the liquid crystalline phase did not appear. The Co-TLCP sample with 3 mol HBA was subjected to melt spinning and heat-treated under various conditions (temperature and time) to investigate their effect on the thermo-mechanical properties and degree of crystallinity. The objective was to determine the critical heat treatment condition that can maximize the properties of the spun Co-TLCP fibers. The microstructure of the heat-treated fiber was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, and the optimal annealing conditions were confirmed based on the morphology of the fiber, which exhibited a skin-core structure owing to the varying heat and pressure conditions applied during spinning.

Influence of hydroquinone content on thermotropic liquid crystalline copolymers and nanocomposites: thermo-mechanical properties and morphology

Thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters (Co-TLCPs) were synthesized by varying the hydroquinone (HQ) molar ratio from 1–5 with respect to the 2,5-diethoxyterephthalic acid (ETA) monomer. The thermal properties and liquid crystalline mesophases of the synthesized Co-TLCP were investigated. All of the Co-TLCPs synthesized using a HQ molar ratio of 1–5 showed a nematic liquid crystalline phase. Among the Co-TLCPs obtained using HQ in various molar ratios, the most stable physical properties and a clear liquid crystalline phase were obtained when HQ was 4 mol. Among the various Co-TLCPs synthesized, hybrids were prepared using Co-TLCP synthesized with a 1 : 4 = ETA : HQ ratio and organoclay. A 1–10% loading of the organoclay Cloisite 93A was employed per weight of TLCP, and the clay was dispersed using the melt intercalation method. Among the Co-TLCP hybrids, the morphology and thermal properties of the hybrids were investigated according to the changes in the Cloisite 93A in the 1–10 wt% range. In general, the thermal properties were superior when the organoclay loading was 3 wt% and were inferior when the organoclay amount was 5 wt% or more. This result was confirmed by the dispersibility of the clay through transmission electron microscopy.

Thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters (Co-TLCPs) were synthesized by varying the hydroquinone (HQ) molar ratio from 1–5 with respect to the 2,5-diethoxyterephthalic acid (ETA) monomer.

Dependence of the Physical Properties and Molecular Dynamics of Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Copolyesters on p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Content

Two series of thermotropic liquid crystal copolymers (TLCPs) with different monomer structures and compositions were synthesized. The copolymers in the first series consisted of 2,5-diethoxyterephthalic acid (ETA), hydroquinone (HQ), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), whereas those in the second series contained ETA, 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN), and HBA. In both series, the molar ratio of HBA to the other monomers varied from 0 to 5. The thermal properties, degree of crystallinity, and stability of the liquid crystalline mesophase of the copolymers obtained at each HBA ratio were evaluated and compared. Overall, at each HBA content, the DHN-containing copolymer had better thermal properties, but the HQ-containing copolymer exhibited a higher degree of crystallinity and a more stable liquid crystalline mesophase. Furthermore, similar thermal stabilities were observed in both series. The dependence of the molecular dynamics of the TLCPs on the monomer structure was explained using ¹³C magic-angle spinning/cross-polarization nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. An in-depth investigation of the relaxation time of each carbon revealed that the molecular motions of the TLCPs were greatly influenced by the structures of the monomers present in the main chain. The molecular dynamics of the HQ and DHN monomers in the two series were evaluated and compared.

Thermal degradation kinetics and lifetime of HDPE/PLLA/pro-oxidant blends

The effect of adding poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) with and without a pro-oxidant additive cobalt stearate (CoSt) and compatibilizer maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MA-g-PE) on the thermal degradation and stability of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The kinetic parameters [i.e. activation energy (Ea), order of reaction (n), and frequency factor ln(A)] of the samples were studied over a temperature range of 25°C–600°C at four heating rates (i.e. 5, 10, 15, and 20°C/min) through model-free techniques (e.g. Friedman, second Kissinger, and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa) and model-fitting techniques (e.g. Freeman-Carroll and Kim-Park). The value of Ea for neat HDPE was found to be much higher than PLLA; for the HDPE/PLLA blend, it was nearer to that of HDPE. An increase in the activation energy of 80/20 (HDPE/PLLA) blend was noticed by the addition of MA-g-PE. The TGA data and degradation kinetics were also used to predict the lifetime of the film samples. The lifetime of HDPE was found to decrease with the increase in the concentration of CoSt, thereby revealing its pro-oxidative ability. Minimum lifetime was noted for the HDPE/PLLA (80/20) sample blended with CoSt, which increased slightly in the presence of MA-g-PE. Studies indicated that the thermal degradation behavior and lifetime of the investigated film samples depends not only on the fractions of their constituents but also on the heating rates and calculation technique.