Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Copolyester Research Articles

On the structure and thermo-mechanical properties of a thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester amide

The microstructure at Å- and nm-scale of a thermotropic liquid crystal copolyester amide has been studied by wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS, respectively). The copolyester amide is based on random monomers of 60 mol% 2,6-hydroxynaphthoic acid, 20 mol% terephthalic acid and 20 mol% amino phenol (designated N-T-AP). In the solid state the copolyester amide is unusually crystalline and the WAXS fiber pattern exhibited equatorial and off equatorial reflections indicative of lateral packing and relative three-dimensional order. Moreover, the pattern also exhibited meridional scattering maxima and the position was aperiodic, a property also reported for the thermotropic random copolyester of 1,4-hydroxy benzoic acid and 2,6-hydroxynaphthoic acid. The meridional scattering was well-modeled by a totally random arrangement of monomers in a straight conformation, where a polymer chain was modeled by an array of points separated by the corresponding monomer length. Hence, the data is consistent with a structure formed by highly aligned macromolecules of totally random monomer sequence. Furthermore, the meridional maxima indicate monomer sequence segregation which would lead to the formation of crystallites, and the sequence segregation is reminiscent of a non-periodic layer crystal (npl).

Processability‐enhanced aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters via the introduction of the unsymmetrical units

AbstractA series of ternary thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters was synthesized through a simple one‐pot melt condensation based on 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), 6‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic acid (HNA) and 4‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic acid (4‐HNA). The structures were modified via the introduction of the asymmetric 4‐HNA unit. High glass transition temperature values (>80°C) and relatively low melting temperature values (<265°C) were achieved with 4‐HNA molar fraction of over 0.5%, and the copolymer exhibited 5% degradation temperatures of 442–453°C and the char yields of 35.80%–36.74% at 800°C. This indicated that the introduction of asymmetric 4‐HNA blocks into the backbone provides a “torsion axis” to regulate the dense stacking between different main‐chains, which was crucial for the mobility of polyester during thermal processes. Moreover, crystallinity decreased with the increase of 4‐HNA content. The incorporation of 4‐HNA also endowed the obtained copolyester fiber with a skin‐core structure and microfiber morphology. Due to the excellent temperature resistance and fibrous morphology of P‐HBA/HNA/4‐HNA. This work provided a novel strategy to synthesize aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters, which can be promising candidates for processing additives or reinforcing materials with improved processing properties, and potential application in processing, personal protection, and other extreme temperature environments.

Influence of hydroquinone content on thermotropic liquid crystalline copolymers and nanocomposites: thermo-mechanical properties and morphology.

Thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters (Co-TLCPs) were synthesized by varying the hydroquinone (HQ) molar ratio from 1–5 with respect to the 2,5-diethoxyterephthalic acid (ETA) monomer. The thermal properties and liquid crystalline mesophases of the synthesized Co-TLCP were investigated. All of the Co-TLCPs synthesized using a HQ molar ratio of 1–5 showed a nematic liquid crystalline phase. Among the Co-TLCPs obtained using HQ in various molar ratios, the most stable physical properties and a clear liquid crystalline phase were obtained when HQ was 4 mol. Among the various Co-TLCPs synthesized, hybrids were prepared using Co-TLCP synthesized with a 1 : 4 = ETA : HQ ratio and organoclay. A 1–10% loading of the organoclay Cloisite 93A was employed per weight of TLCP, and the clay was dispersed using the melt intercalation method. Among the Co-TLCP hybrids, the morphology and thermal properties of the hybrids were investigated according to the changes in the Cloisite 93A in the 1–10 wt% range. In general, the thermal properties were superior when the organoclay loading was 3 wt% and were inferior when the organoclay amount was 5 wt% or more. This result was confirmed by the dispersibility of the clay through transmission electron microscopy.

UV-A and UV-B banning highly soluble photocrosslinkable thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters with ether linkage in the backbone

Four random copolyesters were synthesized by the polycondensation of a chalcone diol 3-(4-hydroxy-3methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (HMPP) with the common diacid, namely, 4,4′-oxybis(benzoic acid) with two varying diacids (terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid) and two varying diols (1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone and 1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone). The chalcone diol was synthesized by acid-catalyzed Claisen-Schmidt reaction. These four random copolyesters were synthesized by solution polycondensation technique and were characterized by qualitative solubility tests and viscosity measurements. The monomeric moieties incorporated in the copolyester backbone was established by FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. Tg, Tm and Tiso were determined by DSC thermograms and found to be in the range of 59–97 °C, 123–143 °C and 160–252 °C, respectively. The copolyesters displayed nematic phase without involving methylene-flexible spacers in the polymeric backbone. The phase transition was found to be reproducible on heating and cooling above Tm. The photocrosslinking ability was ascertained by recording UV spectra at different time intervals of irradiation of UV light from 150-watts, 365-nm mercury lamp at room temperature in DMF. Herein, for the first time, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of novel photosensitive liquid crystalline chalcone polymers without spacer chains. In addition to these, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations have been performed to ascertain the cross-linking nature of the synthesized polymer from computed absorption spectra. All these polyesters exhibit a good photocrosslinking property by absorbing UV-A light. They continue to absorb UV-B light (which is more dangerous to human skin and eyes) after the crosslinking. As these polymers filter UV-A and UV-B rays one after another, a switching system can be evolved from these materials. These polymers exhibit high thermal stability and UV filtering ability at both UV-A and UV-B regions and have good solubility ensuring their application-oriented nature.

Thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester fibers according to various heat treatment conditions

Thermotropic liquid crystal copolyester (TLCP) was synthesized using a melt polymerization method, with a molar ratio composition of 2,5-diethoxy terephthalic acid (ETA), hydroquinone (HQ), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) of 1:1:3. TLCP exhibited nematic liquid crystalline mesophase and maintained nematic textures under all heat treatment conditions applied. The synthesized TLCP was processed into fibers using a capillary rheometer. The liquid crystalline mesophase, thermo-mechanical properties, and morphology of TLCP fibers obtained under various heat treatment conditions were investigated. The thermo-mechanical properties of the heat-treated fibers were improved compared to those of the as-spun fibers. The best results were obtained for TLCP fibers annealed at 230 °C for 9 h. The heat-treated fibers showed a well-developed microfiber morphology compared to the as-spun fibers. In the spun fibers, a skin–core morphology was observed regardless of the heat treatment conditions, and a well-developed fiber morphology better than the core area was observed in the skin area. The diameter of the fiber heat-treated at 230 °C for 9 h was approximately 60–110 nm.

Remarkable mechanical enhancement achieved by interfacial strengthening of organic/inorganic/fiber composites

In this study, a series of organic/inorganic composites were fabricated by melt-mixing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder with a mixture of magnesia, potassium di-hydrogen phosphate and water. The microstructure and chemical composition of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Three point bending tests showed that the flexural strength and toughness of the composites were improved with the increase of polymer content. The flexural strength of the composite with 25.0wt% UHMWPE was 7.7MPa, and can be dramatically enhanced to 21.1MPa by incorporating only 0.1vol% of oriented thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester (TLCP) fibers. The improvement is due to the enhanced interfacial bonding between the polymer and fibers, which was much stronger than that between the inorganic phase and fibers, making the fibers adequately contribute to the mechanical strength of the three-component composite. Our results demonstrated that the interfacial strengthening between fiber and inorganic matrix achieved by interpenetrated organic phase helps to establish a strong composite system.

Synthesis and characterization of photo-crosslinkable liquid crystalline copolyesters containing arylidene-keto and chalcone moieties

A series of six photo-crosslinkable thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters were prepared by polycondensation method at room temperature using tetra-n-butylammonium bromide as the phase transfer catalyst. The diacid chloride involved in this process was adipoyl chloride, the common diol (diol-1), also referred to as bischalcone diol, used was 3,3′-benzene-1,4-diylbis[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one] and six different arylidene diols were involved as varying diols (diol-2), in the ratio 2:1:1. The common diol and the six arylidene diols were synthesized by the acid-catalyzed Claisen-Schmidt synthesis. The inherent viscosity ηinh of these six copolyesters was found between 0.35 and 0.45. The microstructure of the repeating unit present in the copolyester chain was confirmed by FT-IR, 1H–NMR and 13C–NMR spectroscopic techniques. Thermal transition temperatures, resolved from the DSC thermograms, were found to be well above room temperature. Optical polarizing microscopy was employed to establish the liquid crystalline property and all the polymers were found to have nematic phase. The photo-crosslinking behaviour of these copolyesters was studied in DMF solution at different time intervals. The copolyesters having methoxy group in them absorb UV-A rays (315–400 nm) for a longer duration, which promotes them to be good candidates for UV filters and sunscreens.

Mechanism of cement paste reinforced by ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene powder and thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester fiber with enhanced mechanical properties

In this study, a series of cementitious composites with high toughness and flexural strength was obtained by melt-dispersing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) into a cement matrix followed by water immersion. The structure and chemical composition of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Three point bending tests showed that the flexural strengths of the composites were improved from 5.5 MPa to 18.2 MPa with the presence of 25 wt% UHMWPE, and could be further enhanced to 28.1 MPa with the addition of only 0.1 vol% oriented thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester (TLCP) fibers. An adhesive test revealed that the interfacial binding force between polymer and fiber was much stronger than that between cement and fiber. Our findings provide a simple way for utilizing polymer to improve the interface between the fibers and cement matrix, consequently achieving a dramatic increase in the flexural strength and toughness.

Morphological evolution of thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester and its effects on rheological, thermal and flame-retarding behaviors of polycarbonate

Polycarbonate (PC)/phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester (PHDDT) composites were prepared through a novel multistage stretching extrusion. The morphology of the PHDDT phase was controlled by combining an assembly of force-assembling elements (FAEs) with an extruder. SEM observation revealed that morphological evolution of PHDDT from platelets to microfibrils occurred by applying different number of FAEs. The dynamic rheological and thermogravimetric results showed that the increased interfacial area between PHDDT and PC led to a drastic reduction of the complex viscosity and a lower temperature of the maximum loss. Accompanied with the elongation of the PHDDT along flowing direction, the storage modulus and glass transition temperature of the composite were enhanced. However, compared with the system dispersed with the platelet-like phase, the micro-fibrillation of the flame-retarding PHDDT resulted in the decrease of the temperature of the heat release rate curve starting to rise up and the value of the limiting oxygen index. The confined space formed between the platelet-like PHDDT phase was considered to effectively retard the combustion of the whole material.

Main-chain liquid crystalline copolyesters with a phosphorus-containing non-coplanar moiety

A series of phosphorus-containing main-chain thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters named poly(4,4′-biphenylene decanedioate-co-4,4′-(phenylphosphoryl)dibenzoate) (PBPDP) were synthesized by random polycondensation from mesogenic diol 4,4′-biphenol (BP), decanedioic acid (DA) and phosphorus-containing non-coplanar diacid named 4,4′-(phenylphosphoryl)dibenzoic acid (PPDBA). Chemical structures and physical properties of PBPDPs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Thermal stability of the copolyesters was determined via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the liquid crystalline behaviours were observed using polarizing optical microscopy (POM). Results showed that the introduction of PPDBA into the copolyester could decrease the liquid crystalline temperature (Tlc) and the isotropic temperature (Ti) as a result of both copolymerization and the non-coplanar structure of PPDBA; furthermore, when the molar ratio of PPDBA reached 15%, the copolyester turned into a semi-crystalline polymer and lost its liquid crystallinity. Thermal stability of the copolyester increased with increasing the content of PPDBA, due to the positive contribution of the phosphorus-containing structure.

Synthesis and characterization of thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composites via in situ polymerization

We present a novel approach for the preparation of thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester (TLCP)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites via in situ polymerization. A two-stage polycondensation procedure was employed in our process, where carboxylic acid modified MWCNTs were dispersed in acetic anhydride via ultrasonication prior to being charged to a prepolymerization reactor together with monomers and catalysts for esterification reaction at 130 °C–200 °C. The esterified mixture was then fed into a polycondensation reactor at 280 °C‒320 °C. In this way, fully exfoliated MWCNTs were dispersed in the TLCP matrix at concentrations up to 0.3 wt%. Systematic studies show that well dispersed MWCNTs acted as “pseudo nucleation sites” for the nematic ordering in the adjacent TLCP melt. Thus the extrudates show a smaller core region and higher overall orientational order. Consequently, the addition of MWCNTs is not only effective in improving the mechanical stiffness but also toughness of the composites. For example, the 0.3 wt% TLCP/MWCNT composite shows a 62%, 135% and 145% increase in Young's modulus, tensile strength and toughness, respectively, in comparison with the pure TLCP.

PET in situ composites improved both flame retardancy and mechanical properties by phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester with aromatic ether moiety

A novel phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester with aromatic ether moiety (TLCP-AE) was used to prepare the in situ composites of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/liquid crystalline polymer. The morphological structure and properties of PET/TLCP-AE in situ composites were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), capillary rheometer, tensile tests, limiting oxygen index tests (LOI), cone calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The rheological measurements show that the viscosity ratio of TLCP-AE to PET at 260°C is less than 1, which meets a precondition for TLCP-AE to form fibrils in PET matrix during processing. The mechanical, LOI and cone tests prove that TLCP-AE can improve the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of PET synchronously. Moreover, TGA results exhibit that the initial decomposition temperatures and the final residues of PET/TLCP-AE composites increase with increasing TLCP-AE content.

Erratum: A novel thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester containing phosphorus and aromatic ether moity toward high flame retardancy and low mesophase temperature

A series of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters containing phosphorus and aromatic ether groups (TLCP-AEs) were synthesized from p-acetoxybenzoic acid (p-ABA), terephthalic acid (TPA), 4,4′-oxybis(benzoic acid) (OBBA), and acetylated 2-(6-oxid-6H-dibenz(c,e) (1,2) oxaphosphorin 6-yl) 1,4-benzenediol (DOPO-AHQ). The chemical structure and the properties of TLCP-AEs were characterized by Fourier-transform spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), limiting oxygen index, and UL-94 tests, respectively. The results showed that TLCP-AEs had low and broad mesophase temperatures (230–400 °C). TLCP-AEs also showed excellent thermal stability; their 5%-weight-loss temperatures were above 440 °C and the char yields at 700 °C were higher than 45 wt %. All TLCP-AE polyesters exhibited high flame retardancy with a LOI value of higher than 70 and UL-94 V-0 rating. The SEM observation revealed that TLCP-AEs had good fibrillation ability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1182–1189, 2010

In situ reinforced and flame-retarded polycarbonate by a novel phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester

Polycarbonate (PC) was blended with various loadings of novel phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester named PHDDT to form the in situ reinforced composites (PC/PHDDT) by flake extrusion. The morphology, thermal behaviors, tensile properties and flame-retardant performances of PC/PHDDT composites were investigated. Results suggested that fine deformation and microfibrillation of PHDDT in PC matrix could be formed during flake extrusion, which was confirmed by both the SEM observation and rheological analysis. With the increase of PHDDT content, the limiting oxygen index (LOI), tensile strength and storage modulus of the composites were enhanced simultaneously, along with the gradually decreased values of the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and the total heat released (THR), indicating the in situ reinforced and flame-retardant PC/PHDDT composites could be obtained.

A comparative study of thermotropic LCP and organoclay as fillers in high molecular mass polyethylene with different blending sequences

AbstractThe influences of thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester (TLCP) on viscosity reduction in high molecular mass polyethylene (HMMPE) filled with organoclay were investigated by controlling the blending sequence. The interactions between organoclay and TLCP in HMMPE create different morphologies and influence rheological properties of the clay/TLCP/HMMPE blends. When the organoclay was blended with TLCP first, large amounts of organoclay formed partially intercalated structures in TLCP, with phase separation occurring at the temperature when TLCP was in the nematic phase, corresponding an antagonistic effect which weakens viscosity reduction ability of TLCP for HMMPE. However, with first blending of TLCP with HMMPE and then adding organoclay into the blend, most of the organoclay enriched on TLCP surfaces in the blend. Such interaction prevents TLCP droplets from coalescing at high shear stresses, enlarging the processing window. A phenomenological model, originally for HMMPE/TLCP systems, was successfully adopted to predict the flow behaviors of clay/HMMPE/TLCP blends. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1679–1688, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers

A novel thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester containing phosphorus and aromatic ether moity toward high flame retardancy and low mesophase temperature

AbstractA series of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters containing phosphorus and aromatic ether groups (TLCP‐AEs) were synthesized from p‐acetoxybenzoic acid (p‐ABA), terephthalic acid (TPA), 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) (OBBA), and acetylated 2‐(6‐oxid‐6H‐dibenz(c,e) (1,2) oxaphosphorin 6‐yl) 1,4‐benzenediol (DOPO‐AHQ). The chemical structure and the properties of TLCP‐AEs were characterized by Fourier‐transform spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), limiting oxygen index, and UL‐94 tests, respectively. The results showed that TLCP‐AEs had low and broad mesophase temperatures (230–400 °C). TLCP‐AEs also showed excellent thermal stability; their 5%‐weight‐loss temperatures were above 440 °C and the char yields at 700 °C were higher than 45 wt %. All TLCP‐AE polyesters exhibited high flame retardancy with a LOI value of higher than 70 and UL‐94 V‐0 rating. The SEM observation revealed that TLCP‐AEs had good fibrillation ability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1182–1189, 2010

Synthesis and characterization of main-chain liquid crystalline copolyesters containing phosphaphenanthrene side-groups

Abstract A series of thermotropic main-chain liquid crystalline copolyesters P1–P5 containing 2-(6-oxide-6H-dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin-6-yl)-1,4-dihydroxyphenylene (ODOPB) as non-mesogenic unit and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl (DB) as mesogenic unit were prepared by polycondensation with sebacoyl chloride. The thermal and mesogenic properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical micrography (POM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that introducing of ODOPB into polyester decreased the melting temperature (Tm) and the isotropic temperature (Ti). The copolyesters P1–P5 exhibited mesomorphic properties even when the molar ratio of the non-mesogenic monomer ODOPB to mesogenic monomer DB reached 6:4 in feed. For explaining the effect of DOPO group on the mesomorphic properties, the X-ray diffraction analysis of a low molecular weight modal compound containing ODOPB was carried out and the results show that the DOPO side-group is parallel with the most-adjacent benzene ring in the main-chain, which reveals the small effect of ODOPB on the mesogenic structure of polyesters. The thermal analysis showed that the incorporation of phosphorus-containing moieties increase the residual char of the formed liquid crystalline polymers. The thermal stability, however, decreases because the O P–O bond is less stable than the common C–C bond.

A kinked unit‐containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester with low glass transition temperature and broad phase transition temperature

AbstractA novel phosphorus‐containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester with kinked unit named as poly(hydroxybenzate‐co‐DOPO‐benzenediol dihydrodipheyl ether terephthalate) (PHDDT) was synthesized successfully by melting transesterification from terephthalic acid (TPA), p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (p‐ABH), 2‐(6‐oxid‐6H‐dibenz(c, e) (1,2) oxaphosphorin 6‐yl)1,4‐benzenediol (DOPO‐HQ), and 4,4′‐dihydroxydiphenyl ether (DOP). The chemical structure, the mesophase behavior, and the thermal properties of the copolyesters were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H, 13C, and 31P NMR), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, polarizing light microscopy (PLM), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Results suggested that PHDDTs exhibited the typical nematic mesophase that occurred at low temperatures and maintained in a broad temperature range from 230 °C to higher than 400 °C, and had low glass transition temperature ranging from 154.5 to 166.9 °C. The novel phosphorus‐containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester will have a potential application in preparing various in situ reinforced polymer materials with excellent mechanical properties and flame retardancy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4703–4709, 2009

Isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(phenylene sulfide)/TLCP composites

AbstractThe isothermal crystallization kinetics, the morphology, and the melting behavior of melt‐processed composites of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) with a thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester, Vectra A950, (TLCP) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and optical microscopy. The crystallization behavior of PPS in PPS/TLCP composites is observed to be highly sensitive to Tc and immiscible TLCP content in the composites. The spherulite growth rate, the overall crystallization rate, and the activation energy of PPS in PPS/TLCP composites are markedly depressed by the presence of TLCP. The analysis of the Avrami kinetic parameters (n and k) indicates that blending of TLCP with PPS causes heterogeneous growth process and nucleation mechanisms. At low Tcs, the PPS crystallization rate is faster than that neat PPS with ≤30 wt% TLCP loading whereas at high Tcs it remains almost unchanged. The analysis of the melting behavior of these composites indicates that the stability of PPS crystals and their reorganization is influenced both by the Tcs and the composite compositions. The sizes and the number of spherulites change a great extent with composite composition with a drop of spherulite rapid growth rate, at constant Tc, with increasing content of TLCP in composites. The analysis based on the Lauritzen‐Hoffmann secondary nucleation theory, using present DSC data, indicates that present data predominantly follow a linear growth trend over a present range of Tcs and PPS crystallization in composites still occurs according to regime II kinetics, whereby multiple surface nuclei form on the substrate with multiple nucleation acts commencing before initially formed growth layer is completed. The fold surface free energy of PPS chains in composites is found higher than that of neat PPS, leading to an average higher work of chain folding and is ascribed to a general development of the PPS chain mobility in the composite melt. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers

Effects of phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystal copolyester on pyrolysis of PET and its flame retardant mechanism

In order to compare their inherent flame retardancy and thermal stability, two phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters (P-TLCP) were synthesized by melting transesterification. Additionally based on the facts that the P-TLCP can work as a functional additive to enhance the flame retardancy and mechanical property of PET, we further studied the flame retardant mechanism. Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) observations show that the char from PET/P-TLCP is more compact, therefore more efficiently resists fire and heat attack than pure PET. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements of evolved gas, indicate that P-TLCP decomposes to produce phosphorus-containing small molecular compounds during the pyrolysis process, such that P-TLCP could play a flame retardant role in vapour phase. Furthermore, P-TLCP strongly inhibits the generation of combustible compounds in the pyrolysis of PET, which also helps to resist fire propagation.