Nanofocus SAXS/WAXD analysis of controlled polyester - nucleating agent interfaces; unraveling the mechanism(s) of nucleation

Résumé

Biobased polyesters are uniquely positioned in closing carbon cycles timely. However, their low nucleation rate limits complete crystallization and thus instigates thermodynamic instability. Even if complete crystallization is realized, large crystals promote brittleness and block optical clarity. To lower the nucleation barrier we have developed a versatile class of nucleating agents (NAs). By means of the molecular design melt miscibility and nucleation efficiency can be tailored. The mechanism of polymer nucleation seems not generic. In the development of a universal NA, we aim to reveal the origin of polymer nucleation. To compliment a recently approved single crystal diffraction study on the NAs at BM01, we aim here to analyse Poly(LActide) – NA interfaces by SAXS/WAXD imaging using the nanosized X-ray beam at ID13 and reveal the key crystallographic parameter to optimize the NA design. Specific PLA – NA interfaces will be created using the fast scanning calorimeter of ID13.