Polymer Engineering Faculty Research

Title

Photopolymerization Induced Directional Crystal Growth in Reactive Mixtures

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-30-2007

Abstract

Photopolymerization-induced crystallization has been demonstrated in blends of polyethylene oxide–diacrylate at temperatures above the depressed melting temperature of the crystalline component. Upon exposure to ultraviolet irradiation, the melting transition curve moves upward and eventually surpasses the reaction temperature, thereby inducing phase separation as well as crystallization. The present paper demonstrates the occurrence of directionally solidified interface morphologies of polymer crystals subjected to a photointensity gradient. The epitaxially grown seaweed or degenerate structures were observed at the circumference (low-intensity region) while the dense branched spherulites developed at the core high-intensity region.

Publication Title

Physical Review E

Volume

75

First Page

51804

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