Crystallization behaviour of poly(butylene succinate) copolymers

• Published in: Polymer international Vol. 51; no. 3; pp. 239 - 244
• Main Authors: Park, Jun Wuk, Kim, Dong Kook, Im, Seung Soon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.03.2002; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Crystallization; crystallization kinetics; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; poly(butylene succinate); Properties and characterization; random copolymers; secondary nucleation theory; X-ray analysis; Nucleation; Property composition relationship; Experimental study; Succinate copolymer; Lateral group; Random copolymer; Ester copolymer; Melt crystallization; Spherulites; Methyl group; Preparation; Kinetic parameter; Crystal morphology; Melting point; Isothermal crystallization
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.848

Poly(butylene succinate‐co‐butylene 2‐methyl succinate) (PBSMS) random copolymers were synthesized with various comonomer compositions and their crystallization behaviour and morphology were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter, small angle X‐ray scattering and polarized optical microscopy. The equilibrium melting temperature obtained by the Hoffman–Weeks plot significantly decreased with increasing comonomer concentration containing methyl side‐groups. Spherulitic growth rates were strongly dependent on comonomer concentration and were analyzed using the Lauritzen–Hoffman kinetic theory. The surface free energy (σσe) dramatically decreased with comonomer contents. From analysis of the SAXS data, the dependence of the lamellar thickness on crystallization temperature decreased with increasing comonomer concentration. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry