Unusual crystallization behavior of biodegradable poly(ethylene adipate) based nanocomposites induced by graphene oxide

Abstract

In the present research, we successfully prepared a series of graphene oxide (GO)/biodegradable poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA) nanocomposites through a simple solution and precipitation process. The scanning electron microscopy observation revealed a fine dispersion of GO with layered structure throughout the PEA matrix.The crystal structure, nonisothermal melt crystallization behavior, overall isothermal melt crystallization kinetics, spherulitic morphology, and spherulitic growth rate of the PEA/GO nanocomposites were investigated in detail and compared with those of neat PEA. Induced by the heterogeneous nucleation of GO, the crystallization processes of the nanocomposites were enhanced, when the samples were nonisothermally crystallized at a cooling rate of 5 o C/min or isothermally crystallized at crystallization temperature values ranging from 32 to 40 o C; however, the nanocomposites and neat PEA exhibited the same crystallization mechanism and crystal structure. Within the investigated temperature range of 24 to 32 o C, the banded spherulites morphologies were observed for neat PEA and its nanocomposites; moreover, it was interesting to find that GO not only enhanced the nucleation density as a nucleating agent but also increased the spherulitic growth rate of the nanocomposites by exhibiting a superstructure templating effect.

Isothermal melt crystallization kinetics, melting behavior, and spherulitic morphology of novel biobased poly(hexylene oxalate)

“…Banded spherulites were oen observed in some semicrystalline polymers, such as poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx), etc. [20][21][22] These polyesters usually formed featured banded spherulites in a certain range of T c and exhibited different spherulites morphology at other T c values. It should be noted that the origin of the banded spherulites is still an open and unsolved issue in polymer crystallization.…”

Enhancement of Crystallization Behaviors in Quaternary Composites Containing Biodegradable Polymer by Supramolecular Inclusion Complex

“…Poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA) is a biodegradable aliphatic polyester made from glycol and diacid. However, PEA shows a slower crystallization rate and poor thermal stability, which limits its application [7,8]. The crystalline properties of PEA can be enhanced by blending it with several nucleation agents [7,8].…”

“…However, PEA shows a slower crystallization rate and poor thermal stability, which limits its application [7,8]. The crystalline properties of PEA can be enhanced by blending it with several nucleation agents [7,8]. It has been reported that graphene oxide (GO), as a nucleation agent, has good dispersion in a PEA/GO composite.…”

“…It has been reported that graphene oxide (GO), as a nucleation agent, has good dispersion in a PEA/GO composite. Graphene oxide not only enhanced the nucleation density of PEA but also improved its spherulite growth rate [7]. Tang et al [8] used a diamide derivative, N,N'−ethylenebis(12−hydroxystearamide) (EBH), as a nucleation agent to promote the crystallization of PEA.…”

Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) modified graphene for reinforced biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) nanocomposites

“…10,11 Therefore, extensive works have been done to incorporate graphene into various polymers and investigate the properties of the formed composites. [12][13][14][15][16] The dispersion state of graphene plays a vital role in the nal properties of the composites. Small addition could signicantly reinforce many properties of host polymers if in which graphene dispersed uniformly.…”