Enhanced Melt Memory Effects in Poly(butylene succinate) Through Incorporation of Extended-Chain Crystals

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Crystallization Engineering

Background:

• Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is a biodegradable polyester with potential applications in sustainable materials.
• Conventional folded-chain crystals of PBS exhibit limitations in thermal stability and crystallization kinetics.
• Developing effective nucleating agents is crucial for optimizing PBS properties and processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of extended-chain crystals (ECCs) of PBS as nucleating agents.
• To evaluate the impact of ECCs on PBS crystallization behavior, thermal properties, and melt memory effects.
• To understand the molecular interactions governing the enhanced properties.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of extended-chain crystals (ECCs) of PBS.
• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to analyze crystallization temperature and thermal stability.
• Rheological measurements to study melt behavior and intermolecular interactions.
• Self-nucleation studies to probe melt memory effects.

Main Results:

• Incorporation of 5 wt% ECCs increased PBS crystallization temperature by 12 °C and reduced crystallization half-time by 88%.
• ECCs significantly expanded the Domain II temperature window (∆T = 30 °C), enhancing melt memory effects.
• Rheological data indicated unique intermolecular interactions in the melt, persisting above the melting point.

Conclusions:

• Extended-chain crystals (ECCs) of PBS act as highly effective nucleating agents, improving crystallization kinetics and thermal properties.
• ECCs induce significant melt memory effects through stable intermolecular interactions, broadening the processing window.
• This study presents a new paradigm for nucleation control in biodegradable polyesters, enabling the design of high-performance sustainable materials.