Isothermal crystallization kinetics of modified bamboo cellulose/PCL composites

Abstract

Abstract For the purpose of utilizing bamboo cellulose and providing a theoretical basis, the isothermal crystallization kinetics of modified bamboo cellulose/poly(e-caprolactone) (MBC/PCL) composites has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at different crystallization temperature (Tc). The Avrami model was applied to describe the process of isothermal crystallization. According to Hoffman–Weeks theory, the values of the equilibrium melting point ( T m 0 ) increased with an increase in the content of MBC in the composites. The spherulite growth rate, the overall crystallization rate, the activation energy and folding-surface free energy (σe) of PCL/MBC composites are markedly affected by the presence of MBC. According to Avrami theory, MBC accelerates the crystallization of PCL in the composites. However, as compared to neat PCL, all the composites of PCL/MBC had the higher σe value. This indicates that there exist constraints on the mobility of the PCL chains in the interspherulitic regions due to the presence of MBC.