Effect of Metallic Salts of Malonic Acid on the Formation of β Crystalline Form in Isotactic Polypropylene

Abstract

The effects of malonic acid and the lithium, sodium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium salts of malonic acid on the formation of β crystalline form in isotactic polypropylene at the crystallization temperatures 120 and 130°C have been investigated. It was found that malonic acid and the lithium, sodium, and potassium salts of malonic acid inhibit the formation of β crystalline form in polypropylene. Zinc malonate has a limited positive effect on the formation of β crystalline form, while magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium salts are β nucleating agents, in descending order. The decreased β nucleation abilities of the alkaline earth metallic salts of malonic acid are attributed to the increasing atomic radii of the combined metals and decreasing crystallization temperatures.