A01 Effects of topological constraints in polymer melts on crystallization and structure formation

Saalwächter/Thurn-Albrecht

The aim of the project was a deepened understanding of the process of crystallization and the formation of the semicrystalline morphology in crystallizable polymers. As a special new aspect, we focused on the interplay between kinetics of crystallization and the chain motion in the crystalline phase as well as constraints on chain dynamics in the amorphous phase.

The project was based on the combination of a number of different, complimentary experimental methods. The semicrystalline morphology is characterized by small angle X-ray scattering using a new, extended method for quantitative analysis. Solid-state NMR is used to characterize the intracrystalline chain dynamics as well as the topological state of the amorphous phase in the semicrystalline state and the preceding melt state. Furthermore, the molecular relaxation times in the molten state are measured by rheological measurements (dynamic shear modulus). Finally, we measured the crystal growth velocity by optical microscopy, in order to characterize the kinetics of crystal growth.

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