Time-resolved SAXS study of crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide) poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

The kinetics of structure development during isothermal melt crystallization in blends containing low-molecular-weight fractions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been investigated as a function of composition. Time-resolved synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering, static wide-angle X-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry has been used. It has been found that in early stages of crystallization, PEO lamellae of the transient nonintegral folding (NLF) type in a wide range of compositions were formed. Subsequent transformation of MF lamellae into the crystals with one-folded (1F) or extended chains (EC) has occurred through isothermal thinning or thickening. The amorphous PMMA diluent has played a decisive role in structure development. With increasing PMMA content, the induction time prior to crystal formation increased and the rates of NIF, 1F and EC crystallization decreased. Furthermore the recrystallization of the NIF crystals into either 1F or EC crystals was retarded. The addition of PMMA meant that the crystals were growing slowly in a more viscous medium and the retardation effect of the amorphous diluent on the kinetics of these processes resulted in the tendency to create stable and more perfectly ordered structures. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.