Toward exclusive stereocomplex crystallization of high-molecular-weight poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(D-lactic acid) blends with outstanding heat resistance via incorporating selective nucleating agents

In high molecular weight poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(D-lactic acid) (HMW PLLA/PDLA) blends, the construction of exclusive stereocomplex crystals (SC) with high crystallinity and strong melt memory remains a great challenge. In the present study, various norbornene dicarboxylate complexes (TMXNa, Mg, Al, or Ca) were employed as the stereo-selective nucleating agents (NAs), and their effect on the crystallization characteristics, rheological behavior, and heat resistance of PLLA/PDLA blends were thoroughly studied. Strikingly, TMX-Al facilitated the construction of exclusive SC with over 50 % crystallinity and excellent melt memory. The dense SC crystals network structure boosted the heat resistance of L/D-xAl blends with a VST as high as 145 °C. The strengthened intermolecular interaction fostered the generation of pre-ordered structure in the melt and enhanced chain interdiffusion, which contributed to intermolecular nucleation and SC crystallization in L/D-xAl blend. This study opens up a new avenue for melt processing and application development of SC-PLA materials.

The crystallization morphology and process of stereocomplex crystallites of polylactide under CO2: the effect of H-bonding and chain diffusion

The crystallization of PLA SC under CO2 was in situ investigated for the first time.

Nanocellulose-assisted construction of hydrophilic 3D hierarchical stereocomplex meshworks in enantiomeric polylactides: towards thermotolerant biocomposites with enhanced environmental degradation

A hydrophilic and hierarchical 3D stereocomplexed crystalline meshwork was in situ constructed in fully bio-derived enantiomeric polylactide/cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposites.

Toward Subtle Manipulation of Fine Dendritic β-Nucleating Agent in Polypropylene

Dendritic β-nucleating agent (β-NA) can readily manipulate the formation of dendritic β-crystal with a unique toughening effect on polypropylene (PP) to drastically enhance the ductility. However, by the current method, the geometric size is too large to fully perform the nucleating efficiency. In this study, by comparatively investigating the effect of molecular weight of PP and diffusion of β-NAs in a PP melt, we proposed a novel carrier strategy that selective enrichment of β-NAs in a PP carrier was followed by directed migration into polymer matrix. Accordingly, the growth of NAs was controlled by the release from the PP carrier, which decreased the available amount of β-NAs during the growth stage. In this case, the viscosity difference between PP carrier and matrix determined the interfacial movement of β-NAs. When the PP carrier and matrix had same molecular weight, the diffusion and release became favorable to facilitate the formation of the dense and fine dendritic aggregates. As a result, the relative content of β-crystals reached 92%, with a drastic increase of ∼82% in the optimal condition compared to the directed compounded PP/β-NAs sample. This study can open a new avenue to tailor the topologies of β-NAs and the ensuing β-crystals for high-performance PP products.