Application of self seeding technique in regulating polymorphic transformations during non-isothermal bulk crystallization of polymers

Abstract

Non-isothermal melt crystallization of trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPIP) has been studied with the help of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle x-ray diffraction. Self-seeding has been used for the controlled growth of polymorphs. Thus, self-seeding below 55° and below 71°C has led to the exclusive crystallization of β and α polymorphs, respectively, upon non-isothermal cooling of the polymer melt. These temperatures may vary slightly with the previous thermal history and molecular characteristics of the original sample. It has been interpreted that during cooling the rate of growth (by secondary nucleation) of seeds of either polymorph remains much faster than the rate of primary nucleation of the other polymorph whose seeds are not present in the melt. As a result, the crystallizing melt becomes occupied by the spherulites of the seeded polymorph well before the other polymorph can nucleate.