Polymer, Vol.154, 135-147, 2018
Unexpected effects of inorganic phosphate glass on crystallization and thermo-rheological behavior of polyethylene terephthalate
The effects of ultra-low glass transition temperature (T-g) phosphate glass (Pglass) on the thermal, morphological, rheological, mechanical, and crystallization properties of hybrid Pglass/poly(eththylene terephthalate)(PET) were investigated. Nano- and micro-scale distribution of the Pglass in the PET polymer matrix was observed. The polydispersed Pglass in the PET matrix functioned as a nucleation agent, resulting in increasing crystallization temperature. The Pglass in the PET matrix decreased the T-g, indicating a plasticizing effect of the Pglass in the hybrids that was confirmed by the significantly decreased complex viscosity of the PET matrix. In addition, with increasing temperature, a non-terminal behavior of the viscoelastic properties occurred due to the hybrid structural changes and improved miscibility of the hybrid components. Further, the obtained solid-state variable temperature P-31 and H-1 NMR spectroscopy results showed strong Pglass concentration dependency of the interactions at the PET-Pglass interface.
Keywords:Polyethylene terephthalate;Phosphate glass;Hybrids;Crystallization and nucleation;Rheology;Solid state NMR