Crystal Structure and Morphology of Poly(12-dodecalactone)

Abstract

Poly(12-dodecalactone) (PDDL) crystals in the form of chain-folded lamellae were prepared by isothermal crystallization from a 1-hexanol solution. The lozenge-shaped crystals with and without spiral growth have been studied by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction data, obtained from PDDL lamellae sedimented to form oriented mats and annealed solvent-cast film, were supplemented with morphological and structural data from electron microscopy. PDDL crystallizes as an orthorhombic form with a P2(1)2(1)2(1) space group and lattice constants of a = 0.746 +/- 0.001 nm, b = 0.500 +/- 0.001 nm, and c (chain axis) = 3.281 +/- 0.003 nm. There are two chains per unit cell, which existed in an antiparallel arrangement. The fiber repeat distance is appropriate for an all-trans backbone conformation for the straight stems. Molecular packing of this structure has been studied in detail, taking into account both diffraction data and energy calculations. The setting angles, with respect to the a axis, were +/-43 degrees for the corner and center chains according to intensity measurements and structure factor calculations. The optimized shift along the crystallographic c axis is 0.1c (0.328 nm). A final model was obtained to yield R = 0.180 with X-ray diffraction data and R = 0.162 with electron diffraction data. A brief comparison is also made with related polymer structures.