Multiple amides derivative-nucleated poly(1,4-butylene adipate) polyester: Tailored temperature-dependent polymorphism, crystal morphology and phase transition

A multiple amides-based compound (TMC-306) was fabricated and as a nucleating agent (NA) to prepare poly (1,4-butylene adipate) (PBA)/TMC-306 composite to study effects of TMC-306 on crystallization kinetics, polymorphism, crystal morphology, lamellar morphology and phase transition of PBA. TMC-306 increased significantly crystallization temperature (T-c) and crystallization rate of PBA and presented a supernucleation effect on PBA, as confirmed by DSC measurement. Self-assembled TMC-306 shish induced PBA to develop shish-kebab crystal. TMC-306 facilitated generation of the PBA alpha-form at a substantially lower T-c and accelerated PBA phase transition from beta-to alpha-one. Plausible mechanisms on the nucleation, tailored polymorphism and controlled phase transition of PBA, were proposed and discussed in detail.