Induced Crystallization of PLLA in the Presence of 1,3,5‐Benzenetricarboxylamide Derivatives as Nucleators: Preparation of Haze‐Free Crystalline PLLA Materials

Abstract

Abstract The crystallization behavior of poly( L ‐lactide) (PLLA) was investigated in the presence of benzenetricarboxylamide (BTA) derivatives as crystal nucleators. BTA‐cyclohexyl (BTA‐cHe) was the most effective nucleating agent, but induced a complete loss of transparency of the processed material. On the other hand, BTA‐n‐hexyl (BTA‐nHe) enhanced crystallization with little increase in haze. PLLA containing BTA‐cHe enhanced PLLA crystallization in α‐form crystal whereas BTA‐nHe enhanced α′‐form (incomplete α‐form) with forming smaller spherulites. TEM revealed BTA‐nHe had completely dissolved in the PLLA matrix in melt and recrystallized during the thermal annealing process. It was also found that the size of the recrystallized BTA‐nHe was in the nanometer range to effectively nucleate the PLLA crystals. magnified image