[Study on the solid state transformation of PET/nano-CaCO3 composites by variable temperature FTIR spectroscopy]

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Spectroscopy

Context:

• Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a widely used polymer.
• Understanding its solid-state transformation is crucial for material processing and performance.
• The influence of nanofillers on polymer crystallization is an active area of research.

Purpose:

• To investigate the solid-state transformation of crude PET and PET/nano-CaCO3 (MPET) composites.
• To analyze the effect of nano-calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO3) on the crystallization behavior of PET.
• To characterize the changes using variable temperature FTIR spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).

Summary:

• Variable temperature FTIR spectroscopy and DSC were employed to study PET and MPET composites heated from 40 to 250°C.
• The ratio of absorbencies at 1342 and 1410 cm⁻¹ (A1342/A1410) was used to analyze crystal correlation bands.
• Results indicate that nano-CaCO3 particles act as inhomogeneous nucleating agents, causing a clear difference in crystallization degrees between crude PET and MPET composites.

Impact:

• Provides insights into the role of nano-fillers in modifying polymer crystallization kinetics.
• Demonstrates the effectiveness of nano-CaCO3 as a nucleating agent for PET.
• Contributes to the development of tailored PET composites with enhanced properties through controlled crystallization.