Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and activation energy of bio-based poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) polyester blend

Abstract

The blend of bio-based poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blend (60/40 by weight ratio) was prepared via melt blending technique using twin screw extrusion. Its non-isothermal crystallization kinetics was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry at different cooling rate. Avrami and Ozawa model was utilized to investigate the crystal growth rate of the blend. The threedimensional crystal growth of the blend was changed into a two-dimensional one with increase of the cooling rate. The blend was crystallized in the form of non-banded spherulites with smaller crystal size. The crystallization activation energy of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) was reduced with the incorporation of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate).