Small-angle scattering investigations of poly([epsilon]-caprolactone)/polycarbonate blends -- 2: Small-angle X-ray and light scattering study of semicrystalline/semicrystalline and semicrystalline/amorphous blend morphologies
- Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (United States). Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering
- Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Crystalline morphologies of poly([epsilon]-caprolactone) (PCL) and polycarbonate (PC) blends were probed with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and small-angle light scattering (SALS). Quantitative SAXS analysis suggested that random mixing of PCL and PC lamellae occurred in the semicrystalline/semicrystalline state. Two distinct regions of incorporation were identified in the semicrystalline/amorphous state. It was found that PCL was rejected from the PC interlamellar region in the PCL-rich blends. In contrast, PCL was incorporated into the amorphous phase between the crystalline lamellae in the PC-rich blends. This transition from interlamellar exclusion to interlamellar inclusion may be related to the glass transition temperatures or the mobility of the blends. It is proposed that the mode of incorporation or exclusion is governed by the competition between entropy and diffusion. Additionally, SALS coupled with optical microscopy indicated that PC is an effective nucleating agent for PCL crystallization as manifested by the reduction of PCL spherulitic size with the addition of PC.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 7037127
- Journal Information:
- Macromolecules; (United States), Journal Name: Macromolecules; (United States) Vol. 27:9; ISSN MAMOBX; ISSN 0024-9297
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Small-angle scattering investigations of poly ([epsilon]-caprolactone)/polycarbonate blends. 1. Small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering study of crystalline blend morphology