Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dependence of β-crystal formation of isotactic polypropylene on crystallization conditions

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Journal of Polymer Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effect of three β-nucleating agents (β-NA) on the relative content of β-crystal (Kβ(DSC)) in isotactic polypropylene (iPP) at different concentrations, cooling rate and isothermal crystallization temperature were mainly studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Aromatic diamides (TMB-5), rare earth complexes (WBG-II) and calcium pimelate (CaPi) were selected as β-NAs. DSC results showed that the three types of nucleated iPP could produce more abundant β-crystal under the combined effect of optimal addition amount and cooling rate low enough. At cooling rate of 2.5 °C min−1, the Kβ(DSC) could reach above 0.90 in iPP containing 0.15 wt% TMB-5, 0.20 wt% WBG-II and 0.20 wt% CaPi. Isothermal crystallization studies showed that the Kβ(DSC) value of the nucleated iPP increases first and then decreases with the rise of isothermal crystallization temperature. The Kβ(DSC) value of iPP containing TMB-5 at 0.15 wt%, WBG-II and CaPi at 0.20 wt% reached 0.769, 0.912 and 0.968 at the optimum isothermal crystallization temperature of 125 °C, 132 °C and 140 °C, respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang YF, He B, Hou HH, Guo LH (2017) Isothermal crystallization of isotactic polypropylene nucleated with a novel aromatic heterocyclic phosphate nucleating agent. J Macromol Sci B 56(11–12):811–820

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Zhao SC, Cai Z, Xin Z (2008) A highly active novel β-nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene. Polymer 49(11):2745–2754

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Zhang YF, Zhou PZ, Mao JJ, Liu N (2019) Influences of octamethylenedicarboxylic dibenzoylhydrazide on crystallization, melting behaviors, and properties of isotactic polypropylene. Polym Bull 76(4):1685–1696

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Zhang YF, Zhou PZ, Li Y (2019) The influences of α/β compound nucleating agents based on octamethylenedicarboxylic dibenzoylhydrazide on crystallization and melting behavior of isotactic polypropylene. Polym Adv Technol 30(7):1777–1788

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ren XQ, Zhang YF, He J, Li Y (2019) Nucleation effect of adipic acid metal salts in isotactic polypropylene. J Therm Anal Calorim 135(6):3321–3328

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Mao JJ, Jiang YZ, Zhou PZ, Li Y, Zhang YF (2020) Nucleus density and crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene nucleated with different α/β compound nucleating agents. J Therm Anal Calorim 140(5):2275–2282

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kang J, Chen DD, Xiong BJ, Zheng N, Yang F, Xiang M, Zheng Z (2019) Facile route for the fabrication of polypropylene separators for lithium-ion batteries with high elongation and strong puncture resistance. Ind Eng Chem Res 58(51):23135–23142

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Grein C (2005) Toughness of neat, rubber modifified and fifilled b-nucleated polypropylene: from fundamentals to applications. Adv Polym Sci 188:43–104

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Menyhard A, Varga J, Liber A, Belina G (2005) Polymer blends based on the β-modification of polypropylene. Eur Polym J 41(4):669–677

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Varga J (2002) β-modification of isotactic polypropylene: preparation, structure, processing, properties, and application. J Macromol Sci B 41(4–6):1121–1171

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bruckner S, Phillips PJ, Mezghani K, Meille SV (1997) On the crystallization of γ-isotactic polypropylene: a high pressure study. Macromol Rapid Commun 18(1):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  12. Zheng H, Zeng FXY, Chen ZF, Kang J, Chen JY, Cao Y, Xiang M (2017) Exploring the roles of molecular structure on the β-crystallization of polypropylene random copolymer. J Polym Res 24(12):225

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ferrage E, Martin F, Boudet A, Petit S, Fourty G, Jouffret F, Micoud P, Parseval PD, Salvi S, Bourgerette C, Ferret J, Saint-Gerard Y, Buratto S, Fortune JP (2002) Talc as nucleating agent of polypropylene: morphology induced by lamellar particles addition and interface mineral-matrix modelization. J Mater Sci 37(8):1561–1573

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Marco C, Ellis G, Gomez M, Arribas J (2002) Analysis of the dynamic crystallisation of isotactic polypropylene/α-nucleating agent systems by DSC. J Therm Anal Calorim 68(1):61–74

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Zhang YF, Mao JJ (2019) Effect of chemical structure of hydrazide compounds on nucleation effect in isotactic polypropylene. J Polym Res 26(12):277

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Huo H, Jiang S, An L, Feng J (2004) Influence of shear on crystallization behavior of the β phase in isotactic polypropylene with β-nucleating agent. Macromolecules 37(7):2478–2483

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Zhou PZ, Zhang YF, Lin XF (2018) Thermal stability of nucleation effect of different β-nucleating agents in isotactic polypropylene. J Therm Anal Calorim 132(3):1845–1852

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Lotz B, Graff S, Wittmann JC (1986) Crystal morphology of the γ (triclinic) phase of isotactic polypropylene and its relation to the α phase. J Polym Sci B Polym Phys 24(9):2017–2032

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Wang K, Zhu YL, Fu Q (2017) Toward high-performance polypropylene via controlling crystalline morphology. Acta Polym Sin 7:1073–1081

    Google Scholar 

  20. Jiang X, Yu YS, Xu RZ, Li L, Cao Y, Xiang M, Kang J, Sheng XY (2019) Effects of stereo-defect distribution on the crystallization and polymorphic behavior of β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide composites with different melt structures. Polym Eng Sci 59(6):1097–1104

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Dong M, Guo ZX, Su ZQ, Yu J (2008) Study of the crystallization behaviors of isotactic polypropylene with sodium benzoate as a specific versatile nucleating agent. J Polym Sci B Polym Phys 46(12):1183–1192

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Kang J, He JH, Chen ZF, Yu HY, Chen JY, Yang F, Cao Y, Xiang M (2015) Investigation on the crystallization behavior and polymorphic composition of isotactic polypropylene/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites nucleated with β-nucleating agent. J Therm Anal Calorim 119(3):1769–1780

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Zhang YF (2008) Crystallization and melting behaviors of isotactic polypropylene nucleated with compound nucleating agents. J Polym Sci B Polym Phys 46(9):911–916

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Marco C, Gomez MA, Ellis G, Arribas JM (2002) Activity of a β-nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene and its influence on polymorphic transitions. J Appl Polym Sci 86(3):531–539

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Niu H, Wang N, Li Y (2018) Influence of β-nucleating agent dispersion on the crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene. Polymer 150:371–379

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Chang B, Schneider K, Vogel R, Heinrich G (2018) Influence of nucleating agent self-assembly on structural evolution of isotactic polypropylene during uniaxial stretching. Polymer 138:329–342

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Dong M, Jia MY, Guo ZX, Yu J (2011) Effect of final heating temperature on crystallization of isotactic polypropylene nucleated with an aryl amide derivative as β-form nucleating agent. Chin J Polym Sci 29(3):308–317

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhu KM, Ding Q, Hua CR, Fu H, Yao J (2019) Effect of β-nucleating agent on crystallization of post-consumer polypropylene. Thermochim Acta 675:63–68

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Zhang YM, Sun TT, Jiang W, Han GT (2018) Crystalline modification of a rare earth nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene based on its self-assembly. R Soc Open Sci 5(5):180247

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Varga J, Mudra I, Ehrenstein GW (1999) Highly active thermally stable β-nucleating agents for isotactic polypropylene. J Appl Polym Sci 74(10):2357–2368

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Zhao SC, Gong HZ, Yu X, Xin Z, Sun SB, Zhou S, Shi YQ (2016) A highly active and selective β-nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene and crystallization behavior of β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene under rapid cooling. J Appl Polym Sci 133(32)

  32. Dong M, Guo ZX, Su ZQ, Yu J (2011) The effects of crystallization condition on the microstructure and thermal stability of isotactic polypropylene nucleated by β-form nucleating agent. J Appl Polym Sci 119(3):1374–1382

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhang YF, Lin XF, Li Y, He B (2020) Synergistic nucleation effect of calcium sulfate whisker and β-nucleating agent dicyclohexyl-terephthalamide in isotactic polypropylene. J Therm Anal Calorim 139(1):343–352

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. He J, Zhang YF, Ren XQ, Li Y (2019) Nucleation effect of α/β compound nucleating agents based on 1, 3, 5-benzenetricarboxylic acid tris (cyclohexylamide) in isotactic polypropylene. Polym Bull 76(11):5559–5575

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Li XJ, Hu KL, Ji MG, Huang YL, Zhou GE (2002) Calcium dicarboxylates nucleation of β-polypropylene. J Appl Polym Sci 86(3):633–638

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Dong M, Guo ZX, Yu J, Su ZQ (2008) Crystallization behavior and morphological development of isotactic polypropylene with an aryl amide derivative as β-form nucleating agent. J Polym Sci B Polym Phys 46(16):1725–1733

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Bai H, Wang Y, Zhang ZJ, Han L, Li YL, Liu L, Zhou ZW, Men YF (2009) Influence of annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene with β-phase nucleating agent. Macromolecules 42(17):6647–6655

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Li ZK, Liu YS, Nie M, Wang Q (2017) Self-assembly behavior of aryl amide nucleating agent under supercritical carbon dioxide and its influence on polypropylene. Polym-Plast Technol 56(18):1937–1941

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Xiao WC, Wu PY, Feng JC, Yao RY (2009) Influence of a novel β-nucleating agent on the structure, morphology, and nonisothermal crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene. J Appl Polym Sci 111(2):1076–1085

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Li D, Xin YJ, Song Y, Dong T, Ben HX, Yu RX, Han GT, Zhang YZ (2019) Crystalline modification of isotactic polypropylene with a rare earth nucleating agent based on ultrasonic vibration. Polymers 11(11):1777

    CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Wang SW, Yang W, Bao RY, Wang B, Xie BH, Yang MB (2010) The enhanced nucleating ability of carbon nanotube-supported β-nucleating agent in isotactic polypropylene. Colloid Polym Sci 288(6):681–688

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Yue Y, Hu DD, Zhang QL, Lin JY, Feng JC (2018) The effect of structure evolution upon heat treatment on the beta-nucleating ability of calcium pimelate in isotactic polypropylene. Polymer 149:55–64

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Zhang YF, Lin XF, Chen S (2019) Preparation and nucleation effect of a novel compound nucleating agent carboxylated graphene/calcium pi melate for isotactic polypropylene. J Therm Anal Calorim 136(6):2363–2371

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Li JX, Cheung WL, Jia D (1999) A study on the heat of fusion of β-polypropylene. Polymer 40(5):1219–1222

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Zhang ZS, Wang CG, Meng YZ, Mai KC (2012) Synergistic effects of toughening of nano-CaCO3 and toughness of β-polypropylene. Compos Part A 43(1):189–197

    Google Scholar 

  46. Dong M, Guo ZX, Yu J, Su ZQ (2009) Study of the assembled morphology of aryl amide derivative and its influence on the nonisothermal crystallizations of isotactic polypropylene. J Polym Sci B Polym Phys 47(3):314–325

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Liu ZZ, Liu XH, Zheng GQ, Dai K, Liu CT, Shen CY, Yin R, Guo ZH (2017) Mechanical enhancement of melt-stretched β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene: the role of lamellar branching of β-crystal. Polym Test 58:227–235

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 2019JJ40294) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering (50321012017025).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, No.960, South Wanjiali Road, Changsha, 410114, People’s Republic of China

    Zhe He, Yue-Fei Zhang & Yan Li

  2. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, Shanghai, 200237, People’s Republic of China

    Yue-Fei Zhang

Authors
  1. Zhe He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yue-Fei Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yan Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yue-Fei Zhang.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

He, Z., Zhang, YF. & Li, Y. Dependence of β-crystal formation of isotactic polypropylene on crystallization conditions. J Polym Res 27, 250 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-020-02241-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-020-02241-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation