Stereocomplex Crystallization Behavior and Physical Properties of Linear 1-Arm, 2-Arm, and Branched 4-Arm Poly(L-lactide)/Poly(D-lactide) Blends: Effects of Chain Directional Change and Branching

For number-average molecular weight (Mn) below 1 x 104 g mol1, the comparison of cold crystallization temperature and spherulite growth rate and crystallinity of linear 1-arm, 2-arm, and branched 4-arm poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) blends exhibits that the effects of chain directional change and branching significantly disturb stereocomplex crystallization. In contrast, the comparison of glass transition and melting temperatures of linear 1-arm, 2-arm, and branched 4-arm poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) blends indicates that the effects of chain directional change and branching insignificantly alter and largely increase the segmental mobility of the blends, respectively, and the crystalline thickness of the blends is determined by Mn per one arm not by Mn and is not affected by the molecular architecture.