Polymorphism of isotactic polypropylene in presence of additives, in blends and in composites

This article is an overview of our investigations of polymorphism in isotactic polypropylene. We suggest the reason for the formation of different forms is perturbations in the mobility of the chains during crystallization. In this work, we try to prove this hypothesis considering the influence of the presence of small organic compounds or external forces, like an electric field, on the process of crystallization. We also analyzed the formation of the polymorphic forms in polypropylene blends and in composites with natural fibers. It was found that in the composites with natural fibers the hexagonal form arises when the fibers are in motion in relation to the polymeric matrix.