Non-isothermal crystallization and multiple melting behavior of syndiotactic polystyrene - Pre-melting temperature effects

This work investigated how pre-melting temperature (T-max) and cooling rate (C) affected the non-isothermal melt crystallization, melting behavior and crystal structure of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) techniques. Experimental results indicated that raising T-max or C decreased the crystallization peak temperature (T-p) and crystallization initiating temperature (T-i). The crystallization kinetics was analyzed through the Ozawa equation. Although the Ozawa exponent n and cooling function K(T) were determined for T-max = 340 degreesC and T-max = 315 degreesC specimens, for T-max = 290 degreesC specimens, the Ozawa equation was not applicable. Activation energies for the non-isothermal crystallization processes of different T-max specimens were estimated to be approximately 418 kJ/mol. As T-max was raised the nucleation rate of sPS became slower. The multiple melting peaks were associated with different polymorphs as well as recrystallized crystals that formed during heating scans. The percentage content of or polymorph formed in the crystals under various crystallization conditions was estimated through WAXD experiments.