Effect of chain defects on the morphology and thermal behavior of solution‐grown single crystals of syndiotactic polypropylene

Abstract

AbstractThe morphology of solution‐grown single crystals of syndiotactic polypropylene with different degree of stereoregularity is compared. A sector formation phenomenon, found in some monolayer single crystals, is discussed in terms of possible crystallographic fold planes, growth planes, and gemination planes. A correlation between thermodynamic and morphological properties such as apparent enthalpy of fusion, critical long spacing, critical annealing temperature, and the number of configurational chain defects along the macromolecule has been found. Two endothermic peaks are observed in the DSC thermograms of single‐crystal aggregates of syndiotactic polypropylene. The low‐temperature peak is attributed to melting of crystals or parts of crystals with incorporated chain defects. The high‐temperature peak corresponds to the melting endotherm of more regular crystalline zones. The peak‐area ratio seems to depend on the degree of stereoregularity.