Graphene Oxide-Induced Interfacial Transcrystallization of Single-Fiber Milkweed/Polycaprolactone/Polyvinylchloride Composites

Abstract

Understanding the interfacial crystallization is crucial for semi-crystalline polymer/natural fiber composites because it links to the final properties. This work reports, for the first time, the interfacial crystallization of a miscible blend between polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) with milkweed fibers. We have first described the morphology of the fibers and the chemical composition of waxes covered on its surface. Our findings show that the transcrystallization (TC) layer of PCL/PVC could appear at the interface by simply coating with a layer of graphene oxide (GO) on the milkweed fiber. In our study, atomic force microscopy–infrared spectroscopy analysis shows that the crystallinity of the blends is higher at the vicinity of the interface compared to that in the bulk. The kinetic of the interfacial crystallization in terms of spherulite morphology and crystal growth rates at the nanoscale is examined. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze the prepared GO and evaluate its relationship with the interfacial crystallization behavior of the blends.

Poly(lactide)‐based supramolecular polymers driven by self‐complementary quadruple hydrogen bonds: construction, crystallization and mechanical properties

“…The spherulites of PLLA‐ b ‐PCL‐ b ‐PLLA3.0 triblock copolymer show ring‐banded textures. The reason for the formation of ring‐banded spherulites may be the twist of the lamellar chains around their growth axis, which could result in a change of the refraction index depending on the orientation of the crystalline planes 48–50 . Another possible reason is the rhythmic change in the thickness of the spherulites during growth, resulting in regular extinction bands 49 .…”

“…The reason for the formation of ring-banded spherulites may be the twist of the lamellar chains around their growth axis, which could result in a change of the refraction index depending on the orientation of the crystalline planes. [48][49][50] Another possible reason is the rhythmic change in the thickness of the spherulites during growth, resulting in regular extinction bands. 49 A previous investigation 50 has found that the band spacing and regularity of ring bands decrease with increase of the molecular weight of PLA blocks.…”

“…[48][49][50] Another possible reason is the rhythmic change in the thickness of the spherulites during growth, resulting in regular extinction bands. 49 A previous investigation 50 has found that the band spacing and regularity of ring bands decrease with increase of the molecular weight of PLA blocks. The increased molecular weight of the PLA block in the PLLAb-PCL-b-PLLA triblock copolymers leads to a decrease in the PCL content, so a well-defined spherical shape with a Maltese cross is observed in PLLA-b-PCL-b-PLLA5.0.…”

Miscibility, Morphology, and Crystallization Kinetics of Biodegradable Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Ascorbic Acid Blends

“…The presence of a crystallizable component in the blend may disturb the crystallization of the host polymer matrix. The final morphology may be kinetically controlled by the crystallization condition, thermal history, and composition as described in our previous publications. − …”