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Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and thermal stability of the in situ reinforcing composite films based on thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and polypropylene

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Abstract

The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and thermal stability of the in situ reinforcing composite thin film, comprising of 10 wt% of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP, Rodrun LC5000) and polypropylene (PP), prepared by a two-step method were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG), respectively. The DSC results revealed that Mo method was suitable for the crystallization behavior description of both neat PP and 10 wt%TLCP/PP films. The in situ formation of TLCP fibrils in the PP matrix led to reduction in both values of half-time of crystallization (t 1/2) and the kinetic parameter of Mo equation F(T), resulting in a significant increase in the crystallization rate of PP phase. The remarkable lower in crystallization activation energy of the composite films also confirmed that in situ formed TLCP fibrils could influence the molecular chain of PP easier to crystallize, and hence resulted in the faster crystallization rate. The nucleation activity value of composite indicated that TLCP fibrils acted as effective nucleating agents. From TG results and the higher decomposition activation energy, the thermal stability of the composite can be improved by the presence of in situ-formed TLCP fibrils.

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Abbreviations

DSC:

Differential scanning calorimetry

DTG:

Differential thermogravimetry

HBA:

p-Hydroxy benzoic acid

PBT:

Poly(butylene terephthalate)

PET:

Polyethylene terephthalate

PP:

Polypropylene

TG:

Thermogravimetric analyzer

TLCP:

Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

TP:

Thermoplastic

∆E :

Activation energy

k :

The rate constant of Avrami equation

k c :

The kinetic crystallization rate constant

K(T):

The kinetic parameter of Ozawa equation

F(T):

The kinetic parameter of Mo equation

m :

Ozawa exponent

n :

Avrami exponent

t :

Time

t 1/2 :

Half-time of crystallization

T c :

Crystallization temperature

T o :

The onset crystallization temperatures

T ∞ :

The end crystallization temperature

T max :

The maximum decomposition temperature

T onset :

The onset decomposition temperature

X t :

Relative crystallinity

ϕ:

Cooling rate

φ:

Nucleation activity

θ:

T − Tmax

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a grant from the Thailand Research Fund (MRG4780032). Partial financial supports from the Center for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Commission on Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Ubon Ratchathani University are also acknowledged. The SS author also grateful thanks to Prof. Sauvarop Bualek-Limcharoen for providing TLCP and giving the useful discussion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Organic Electronics and Polymers, Department of Chemistry and Center for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ubon Ratchathani University, Warinchamrap, Ubon Ratchathani, 34190, Thailand

    Sayant Saengsuwan, Pongsathorn Tongkasee, Taweesak Sudyoadsuk, Vinich Promarak, Tinnagon Keawin & Siriporn Jungsuttiwong

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  1. Sayant Saengsuwan
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  2. Pongsathorn Tongkasee
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Correspondence to Sayant Saengsuwan.

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Saengsuwan, S., Tongkasee, P., Sudyoadsuk, T. et al. Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and thermal stability of the in situ reinforcing composite films based on thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and polypropylene. J Therm Anal Calorim 103, 1017–1026 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-010-1022-3

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