Crystallization and melting behavior of poly (ethylene succinate) in presence of graphene nanoplatelets

In this study, poly (ethylene succinate)/graphene nanoplatelets composites were prepared via solution casting method in different compositions and analyzed via differential scanning calorimetry. Crystallization and melting characteristics in both dynamic (non-isothermal) and isothermal modes were investigated at various cooling rates and isothermal temperatures. It was confirmed that graphene, while being incompatible with the matrix polymer, could act as nucleating agent so that hot (melt) crystallization rates, intensities, and positions were increased in the dynamic mode. However, the overall crystallinity remained almost unchanged. Cold crystallization was also decreased to lower temperatures on graphene addition; however its enthalpy was also reduced. Similar findings were observed for the isothermal mode, but to a lesser extent. The presence of graphene changed the perfection of crystals as their thermodynamic stability against heating and recrystallization behavior varied. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.