Single Crystals Self-Assembled to Sector-Face Dendritic Aggregates by Synchrotron Microbeam X-Ray Analysis on Poly(ethylene succinate)

Poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu), upon crystallization with a morphology-modulating diluent and at low degree of supercooling, forms peculiarly novel sector-face dendritic aggregates. Delicate dissection by various microscopic techniques is used to confirm the unique differences of these two faces in the PESu dendrites. Powerful synchrotron-source generated X-ray microbeam analysis is performed to prove without doubt the nature of the single crystals that self-assemble into these two sectors, respectively. Both microscopy results and 1D/2D wide-angle X-ray patterns collectively confirm that one sector-face of the PESu dendrites is composed all fully flat-on with the single-crystal's basal face contacting the substrate and branching growth with mutual perpendicular approximate to 90 degrees angle intersections; the second face is composed fully edge-on with the prism face contacting the substrate and growth with mutual oblique 5-30 degrees angle intersections. The growth intersection angles are also proved by the azimuthal angles in 1D and 2D X-ray patterns.

Automated summary

This study investigates the formation of sector-face dendritic aggregates during the crystallization process of Poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu). Through microscopic techniques and X-ray analysis, the unique characteristics of these two faces are confirmed.