Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of wood-flour/polypropylene composites in the presence of β-nucleating agent

Abstract

The influence of aryl amide compounds (TMB) as β-nucleating agents, on the non-isothermal crystallization of a wood-flour/polypropylene composite (WF/PP) prepared by compression molding was investigated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. TMB was proved to be an effective β-crystalline nucleating agent for WF/PP. The DSC data showed that the crystallization peak temperature (Tp) increased and the half-time (t1/2) decreased with the addition of TMB. Three theoretical models were used to analyze the non-isothermal crystallization process. The modified Avrami method and Mo method successfully explained the non-isothermal crystallization behavior of PP and its composites. Their activation energies for non-isothermal crystallization were determined basing on the Kissinger method.