Isothermal crystallization of polyethylene droplets within the self-nucleated isotactic polypropylene matrix of a 70/30 iPP/PE immiscible blend via fast scanning chip calorimetry (FSC)

Abstract

The escalating volume of waste related to polyolefins poses recycling challenges. Given the mixed composition of the post-consumer feedstock, studying blends of virgin polyolefins is a fruitful strategy to simulate such compositions. For the first time, this study investigates crystallization, self-nucleation (SN), and kinetics of a 70/30 iPP/PE blend, characterised by a "sea-island" morphology, using fast scanning calorimetry (FSC). Preliminary experiments on different chip sensors proved the technique's sensitivity and representativeness for polymer blends, even with minimal sample quantities. Application of the self-nucleation thermal protocol (employing fast scanning rates, from 500 to 1000 °C/s) to the iPP matrix phase revealed insights into the characteristic SN domains. The crystallization kinetics of PE-dispersed droplets within a SN iPP matrix was also investigated. Results indicate a 30 °C crystallization window for PE droplets within the self-nucleated iPP matrix, expanding the understanding of crystallization rates (up to four decades) compared to standard DSC measurements.