Crystallization and Dielectric Properties of MWCNT /Poly(1-Butene) Composite Films by a Solution Casting Method

In this work, poly(1-butene) (PB-1) composite films with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were prepared by a solution casting method. The relationship between the dielectric properties and the crystal transformation process of the films was investigated. It was indicated that there were two crystal forms of I and II of PB-1 during the solution crystallization process. With the prolongation of the phase transition time, form II was converted into form I. The addition of the conductive filler (MWCNT) accelerated the rate of phase transformation and changed the nucleation mode of PB-1. The presence of crystal form I in the system increased the breakdown strength and the dielectric constant of the films and reduced the dielectric loss, with better stability. In addition, the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss of the MWCNT/PB-1 composite films increased with the addition of MWCNT, due to the interfacial polarization between MWCNT and PB-1 matrix. When the mass fraction of the MWCNT was 1.0%, the composite film had a dielectric constant of 43.9 at 25 °C and 10³ Hz, which was 20 times that of the original film.

Crystallization Kinetics and Multiple Melting Behavior of Biodegradable Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)

The crystallization and melting behavior of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)] with 11 % 4HB content was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS). The Avrami analysis was performed to obtain the kinetic parameters of crystallization. The results showed that the Avrami equation was suitable for describing the isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization processes of P(3HB-co-4HB). Based on the values of the equilibrium melting temperature and the half-time of crystallization, its nucleation constant of crystal growth kinetics was obtained by using the Lauritzen-Hoffman model, which was found to be 1.92 × 105 K2, lower than that for pure PHB. During the subsequent heating process, quite different multiple melting behaviors were observed for P(3HB-co-4HB) crystallized isothermally or nonisothermally. The origins of the multiple melting behaviors were discussed based on either the presence of dual lamellar thicknesses or the melt-recrystallization mechanism. In general, the crystallization and melting behaviors were elucidated by this work.