Evaluating the Time-Dependent Melting Behavior of Semicrystalline Polymers Through Strobl's 3-Phase Model

dc.contributor.authorHoang, Jonathan Danen
dc.contributor.committeechairMarand, Hervéen
dc.contributor.committeememberCorcoran, Sean G.en
dc.contributor.committeememberWhittington, Abby R.en
dc.contributor.departmentMaterials Science and Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2013-03-29T08:00:14Zen
dc.date.available2013-03-29T08:00:14Zen
dc.date.issued2013-03-28en
dc.description.abstractThe melting behavior of polymers can provide information on their crystallization mechanism. However, the origin of the time-dependent low endotherm, or annealing peak, and the extent of melting-recrystallization-remelting during heating are still debated. The crystallization and subsequent melting behavior of isotactic polystyrene are explored in the context of Stroblâ "s 3-Phase model using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and wide angle X-ray diffraction. DSC experiments confirm the existence of a crystallization time-dependent low endotherm, and melting-recrystallization-remelting processes during heating. SAXS analysis using the correlation function confirms that the lamellar thickness increases with crystallization temperature and is independent of time. The spread between equilibrium melting and crystallization temperatures determined in this work (Tfâ"" = 533K, Tcâ"" = 544K) is much smaller than reported by Strobl et al. (Tfâ"" = 562K, Tcâ"" = 598K). These differences are partially attributed to overestimation in lamellar thicknesses calculated through the interface distribution function. Analysis of diffraction broadening shows that the apparent crystal size decreases with crystallization time, suggesting the formation of smaller/less perfect crystals during secondary crystallization. These results are consistent with observations that the glass transition temperature increases with crystallization time and supports the idea that secondary crystallization leads to increased amorphous conformational constraints. These results also suggest that the upward shift of the annealing peak during secondary crystallization is associated with increased amorphous constraints rather than increased crystal dimensions. The lack of distinction between Tfâ"" and Tcâ"" and the evolution of crystal size during crystallization stand in direct contrast with Stroblâ "s model.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:387en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/19303en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectpolymer crystallizationen
dc.subjectmeltingen
dc.subjectLauritzen-Hoffman secondary nucleation theoryen
dc.subjectStrobl 3-Phase modelen
dc.subjectisotactic polystyreneen
dc.titleEvaluating the Time-Dependent Melting Behavior of Semicrystalline Polymers Through Strobl's 3-Phase Modelen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineMaterials Science and Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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