Polymer crystallization at large supercooling, studied by modified Fast Scanning Calorimetry

Polymer crystallization in the vicinity of glass transition still remains the point of large controversy [1]. Time and size of the involved rearrangements places certain challenge for instrumentation and experimental design. Fast Scanning Calorimetry (FSC) introduced by [2] brought vast possibilities for polymer vitrification and crystallization study. It can follow up crystallization/vitrification at cooling rates up to 1,000,000 K/s under condition of liquid nitrogen cooled gas environment. Separation of heat treatment and analysis temperature scans gives even more opportunities e.g. for crystal nucleation rate measurement [3]. Combination of structural technique is vitally important. Because most of the technique are unable to reach the rate of cooling offered by FSC, multi-stage experiment design becomes useful. Precisely ordered material shall be frozen, or allowed to develop at different temperature for determination of needed parameters under AFM or optical microscopy. Combination of FSC, AFM and optical microscopy was used to follow homogeneous nucleation of PBT.
REFERENCES
1. Androsch, R., E. Zhuravlev, and C. Schick, Polymer, 2014.
2. Zhuravlev, E. and C. Schick, Thermochimica Acta, 2010.
3. Zhuravlev, E., et al.Crystal Growth & Design, 2015.