Abstract
In this paper, effects of ordered structure on non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and subsequent melting behavior of β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide composites were investigated. Under all cooling rates, as fusion temperature Tf stepped into the range of 168–178 °C, the ordered structure survived in the melt, resulting in the increase in crystallization peak temperature Tp, the decrease in crystallization activation energy ΔE and the decrease in the half crystallization time t1/2. When endset temperature of cooling Tend = 50 °C, lower cooling rate encouraged the formation of more β-phase. Moreover, the influence of ordered structure on β-α recrystallization was studied by adjusting the Tend. When Tend = 105 °C, higher cooling rate encouraged the formation of more β-phase. The ordered structure was favorable for the improvement of the thermal stability of the β-phase during β-α recrystallization.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kang J, Li J, Chen S, Zhu S, Li H, Cao Y, Yang F, Xiang M. Hydrogenated petroleum resin effect on the crystallization of isotactic polypropylene. J Appl Polym Sci. 2013;130:25–38.
Wang S-W, Yang W, Bao R-Y, Wang B, Xie B-H, Yang M-B. The enhanced nucleating ability of carbon nanotube-supported β-nucleating agent in isotactic polypropylene. Colloid Polym Sci. 2010;288:681–8.
Lee C, Wei X, Kysar JW, Hone J. Measurement of the elastic properties and intrinsic strength of monolayer graphene. Science. 2008;321:385–8.
McKeown NB. Molecular nanoporous crystals: predictable porosity. Nat Mater. 2011;10:563–4.
Dutta S, Pati SK. Novel properties of graphene nanoribbons: a review. J Mater Chem. 2010;20:8207.
Miller JR, Simon P. Materials science. Electrochemical capacitors for energy management. Science. 2008;321:651–2.
Cui Y, Kundalwal SI, Kumar S. Gas barrier performance of graphene/polymer nanocomposites. Carbon. 2016;98:313–33.
Liang M, Zhi L. Graphene-based electrode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries. J Mater Chem. 2009;19:5871.
Imran Jafri R, Rajalakshmi N, Ramaprabhu S. Nitrogen doped graphene nanoplatelets as catalyst support for oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cell. J Mater Chem. 2010;20:7114.
Keeley GP, O’Neill A, McEvoy N, Peltekis N, Coleman JN, Duesberg GS. Electrochemical ascorbic acid sensor based on DMF-exfoliated graphene. J Mater Chem. 2010;20:7864.
Goyal V, Balandin AA. Thermal properties of the hybrid graphene-metal nano-micro-composites: applications in thermal interface materials. Appl Phys Lett. 2012;100:073113.
Cai D, Song M. Recent advance in functionalized graphene/polymer nanocomposites. J Mater Chem. 2010;20:7906.
Park O-K, Hwang J-Y, Goh M, Lee JH, Ku B-C, You N-H. Mechanically strong and multifunctional polyimide nanocomposites using amimophenyl functionalized graphene nanosheets. Macromolecules. 2013;46:3505–11.
Dreyer DR, Park S, Bielawski CW, Ruoff RS. The chemistry of graphene oxide. Chem Soc Rev. 2010;39:228–40.
Potts JR, Lee SH, Alam TM, An J, Stoller MD, Piner RD, Ruoff RS. Thermomechanical properties of chemically modified graphene/poly(methyl methacrylate) composites made by in situ polymerization. Carbon. 2011;49:2615–23.
Liang J, Huang Y, Zhang L, Wang Y, Ma Y, Guo T, Chen Y. Molecular-level dispersion of graphene into poly(vinyl alcohol) and effective reinforcement of their nanocomposites. Adv Func Mater. 2009;19:2297–302.
Xu Z, Gao C. In situ polymerization approach to graphene-reinforced nylon-6 composites. Macromolecules. 2010;43:6716–23.
Cao Y, Feng J, Wu P. Alkyl-functionalized graphene nanosheets with improved lipophilicity. Carbon. 2010;48:1683–5.
Li W, Tang X-Z, Zhang H-B, Jiang Z-G, Yu Z-Z, Du X-S, Mai Y-W. Simultaneous surface functionalization and reduction of graphene oxide with octadecylamine for electrically conductive polystyrene composites. Carbon. 2011;49:4724–30.
Yun YS, Bae YH, Kim DH, Lee JY, Chin I-J, Jin H-J. Reinforcing effects of adding alkylated graphene oxide to polypropylene. Carbon. 2011;49:3553–9.
Lotz B, Wittmann JC, Lovinger AJ. Structure and morphology of poly(propylenes): a molecular analysis. Polymer. 1996;37:4979–92.
Pawlak A, Piorkowska E. Crystallization of isotactic polypropylene in a temperature gradient. Colloid Polym Sci. 2001;279:939–46.
Byelov D, Panine P, Remerie K, Biemond E, Alfonso GC, de Jeu WH. Crystallization under shear in isotactic polypropylene containing nucleators. Polymer. 2008;49:3076–83.
Fillon B, Thierry A, Wittmann JC, Lotz B. Self-nucleation and recrystallization of polymers. Isotactic polypropylene, β phase: β-α conversion and β-α growth transitions. J Polym Sci Part B Polym Phys. 1993;31:1407–24.
Bai H, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Han L, Li Y, Liu L, Zhou Z, Men Y. Influence of annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene with β-phase nucleating agent. Macromolecules. 2009;42:6647–55.
Xu J-Z, Liang Y-Y, Huang H-D, Zhong G-J, Lei J, Chen C, Li Z-M. Isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization of isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide nanosheet nanocomposites. J Polym Res. 2012;19:9975.
Bao R-Y, Cao J, Liu Z-Y, Yang W, Xie B-H, Yang M-B. Towards balanced strength and toughness improvement of isotactic polypropylene nanocomposites by surface functionalized graphene oxide. J Mater Chem A. 2014;2:3190–9.
Zhang Y-F, Xin Z. Isothermal crystallization behaviors of isotactic polypropylene nucleated with α/β compounding nucleating agents. J Polym Sci Part B Polym Phys. 2007;45:590–6.
Bai H, Wang Y, Zhang Q, Liu L, Zhou Z. A comparative study of polypropylene nucleated by individual and compounding nucleating agents. I. Melting and isothermal crystallization. J Appl Polym Sci. 2009;111:1624–37.
Zhao S, Xin Z. Nucleation characteristics of the α/β compounded nucleating agents and their influences on crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene. J Polym Sci Part B Polym Phys. 2010;48:653–65.
Lorenzo AT, Müller AJ. Estimation of the nucleation and crystal growth contributions to the overall crystallization energy barrier. J Polym Sci Part B Polym Phys. 2008;46:1478–87.
Su F, Li X, Zhou W, Zhu S, Ji Y, Wang Z, Qi Z, Li L. Direct formation of isotactic poly(1-butene) form I crystal from memorized ordered melt. Macromolecules. 2013;46:7399–405.
Cavallo D, Gardella L, Portale G, Müller AJ, Alfonso GC. Self-nucleation of isotactic poly(1-butene) in the trigonal modification. Polymer. 2014;55:137–42.
Li X, Su F, Ji Y, Tian N, Lu J, Wang Z, Qi Z, Li L. Influence of the memory effect of a mesomorphic isotactic polypropylene melt on crystallization behavior. Soft Matter. 2013;9:8579.
Kang J, Chen Z, Zhou T, Yang F, Chen J, Cao Y, Xiang M. Dynamic crystallization and melting behavior of β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene with different melt structures. J Polym Res. 2014;21:384.
Li H, Yan S. Surface-induced polymer crystallization and the resultant structures and morphologies. Macromolecules. 2011;44:417–28.
Liu Q, Sun X, Li H, Yan S. Orientation-induced crystallization of isotactic polypropylene. Polymer. 2013;54:4404–21.
Cavallo D, Azzurri F, Balzano L, Funari SS, Alfonso GC. Flow memory and stability of shear-induced nucleation precursors in isotactic polypropylene. Macromolecules. 2010;43:9394–400.
Cavallo D, Portale G, Balzano L, Azzurri F, Bras W, Peters GW, Alfonso GC. Real-time WAXD detection of mesophase development during quenching of propene/ethylene copolymers. Macromolecules. 2010;43:10208–12.
Zhang B, Chen J, Cui J, Zhang H, Ji F, Zheng G, Heck B, Reiter G, Shen C. Effect of shear stress on crystallization of isotactic polypropylene from a structured melt. Macromolecules. 2012;45:8933–7.
Zhang B, Chen J, Ji F, Zhang X, Zheng G, Shen C. Effects of melt structure on shear-induced β-cylindrites of isotactic polypropylene. Polymer. 2012;53:1791–800.
Kang J, Weng G, Chen Z, Chen J, Cao Y, Yang F, Xiang M. New understanding in the influence of melt structure and β-nucleating agents on the polymorphic behavior of isotactic polypropylene. RSC Adv. 2014;4:29514–26.
Kang J, Chen Z, Yang F, Chen J, Cao Y, Weng G, Xiang M. Understanding the effects of nucleating agent concentration on the polymorphic behavior of β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene with different melt structures. Colloid Polym Sci. 2015;293:2061–73.
Wang B, Chen Z, Kang J, Yang F, Chen J, Cao Y, Xiang M. Influence of melt structure on the crystallization behavior and polymorphic composition of polypropylene random copolymer. Thermochim Acta. 2015;604:67–76.
Zhang Q, Chen Z, Wang B, Chen J, Yang F, Kang J, Cao Y, Xiang M, Li H. Effects of melt structure on crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene nucleated with α/β compounded nucleating agents. J Appl Polym Sci. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.41355.
Menyhárd A, Dora G, Horváth Z, Faludi G, Varga J. Kinetics of competitive crystallization of β- and α-modifications in β-nucleated iPP studied by isothermal stepwise crystallization technique. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2011;108:613–20.
Molnár J, Menyhárd A. Separation of simultaneously developing polymorphic modifications by stepwise crystallization technique in non-isothermal calorimetric experiments. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2016;124:1463–9.
Kang J, Xiong B, Liu D, Cao Y, Chen J, Yang F, Xiang M. Understanding in the morphology and tensile behavior of isotactic polypropylene cast films with different stereo-defect distribution. J Polym Res. 2014;21:485.
Chen Z, Kang W, Kang J, Chen J, Yang F, Cao Y, Xiang M. Non-isothermal crystallization behavior and melting behavior of Ziegler-Natta isotactic polypropylene with different stereo-defect distribution nucleated with bi-component β-nucleation agent. Polym Bull. 2015;72:3283–303.
Dietz W. Effect of cooling on crystallization and microstructure of polypropylene. Polym Eng Sci. 2016;56:1291–302.
Chen Y-H, Mao Y-M, Li Z-M, Hsiao BS. Competitive growth of α- and β-crystals in β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene under shear flow. Macromolecules. 2010;43:6760–71.
Zhang Q, Peng H, Kang J, Cao Y, Xiang M. Effects of melt structure on non-isothermal crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene nucleated with α/β compounded nucleating agents. Polym Eng Sci. 2017;57:989–97.
Yamamoto Y, Inoue Y, Onai T, Doshu C, Takahashi H, Uehara H. Deconvolution analyses of differential scanning calorimetry profiles of β-crystallized polypropylenes with synchronized x-ray measurements. Macromolecules. 2007;40:2745–50.
Horvath Z, Sajo IE, Stoll K, Menyhard A, Varga J. The effect of molecular mass on the polymorphism and crystalline structure of isotactic polypropylene. Express Polym Lett. 2010;4:101–14.
Varga J. β-Modification of polypropylene and its two-component systems. J Therm Anal. 1989;35:1891–912.
Lotz B, Fillon B, Thierry A. Low Tc growth transitions in isotactic polypropylene: β to α and α to smectic phases. Polym Bull. 1991;25:101–5.
Wang G, Shen X, Wang B, Yao J, Park J. Synthesis and characterisation of hydrophilic and organophilic graphene nanosheets. Carbon. 2009;47:1359–64.
Kang J, Yang F, Wu T, Li H, Cao Y, Xiang M. Polymerization control and fast characterization of the stereo-defect distribution of heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta isotactic polypropylene. Eur Polym J. 2012;48:425–34.
Müller AJ, Arnal ML. Thermal fractionation of polymers. Prog Polym Sci. 2005;30:559–603.
Kang J, Gai J, Li J, Chen S, Peng H, Wang B, Cao Y, Li H, Chen J, Yang F, Xiang M. Dynamic crystallization and melting behavior of β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene polymerized with different Ziegler-Natta catalysts. J Polym Res. 2013;20:70.
Kissinger HE. Reaction kinetics in differential thermal analysis. Anal Chem. 1957;29:1702–6.
Blaine RL, Kissinger HE. Homer Kissinger and the Kissinger equation. Thermochim Acta. 2012;540:1–6.
Kang J, Li J, Chen S, Peng H, Wang B, Cao Y, Li H, Chen J, Gai J, Yang F, Xiang M. Investigation of the crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene polymerized with different Ziegler-Natta catalysts. J Appl Polym Sci. 2013;129:2663–70.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 51503134, 51421061, 51721091) and the State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering (Grant No. SKLPME 2017-3-02) for the financial support.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yu, Y., Zeng, F., Chen, J. et al. Effects of ordered structure on non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and subsequent melting behavior of β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide composites. J Therm Anal Calorim 136, 1667–1678 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7776-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7776-8