Polymer Crystallization

Dear Colleagues,

Two thirds of polymer materials are crystalline. The crystalline structures, e.g., the degree of crystallinity, morphology, and orientation of crystals, have a profound effect on the properties and applications of these materials. In most cases, crystallization of polymers follows the route of nucleation and growth, which determines the crystallization rate and the final crystalline structures. In industry, higher crystallization rate and higher degree of crystallinity are preferred to improve the production rate and heat resistance of polymer products. To accelerate the crystal nucleation of polymers, various methods have been applied. For instance, nucleating agents have been adopted to shorten the cycle time and increase the optical transparency of injection-molded products. In addition, self-seeding, epitaxy, and stress can also enhance the crystallization rate of polymers. In addition to the aforementioned methods, blending with amorphous components may also improve the nucleation rate. However, there are still open questions in the field of the nucleation of polymer crystallization: What is the difference between crystal nucleation of polymer chains and small molecules? What is the mechanism of primary and secondary nucleation? How do the structures in the amorphous melt affect nucleation and crystallization of polymers? How do the constraints (nano space) and molecular weight of polymer chains affect the nucleation kinetics? How does the competition between chain diffusion, lamellar growth, and nucleation affect the morphology of polymer crystals, e.g., single crystals, dendrites, and spherulites? How can we design novel nucleating agents and develop new methods to enhance the nucleation rate? Answers to these questions are of both theoretical and practical importance. The present Topic on “Nucleation in Polymer Crystallization: Recent Advances” in Crystals calls for papers on all aspects relevant to nucleation of polymer crystallization, such as (but not limited to) theories, methods, observations, etc. The issue is expected to provide a platform for discussing the open questions in the field and help to exchange ideas and foster new concepts.

Dr. Jun Xu
Prof. Dr. Rufina G. Alamo
Prof. Dr. Günter Reiter
Topic Editors