Molecular structure and driving force to metastable states: Janus faces in polymer crystallization

Abstract

This paper is a retrospective of a past dedicated to research on polymers and a situation sketch of the present and the near future. (Co)polymers discussed are mainly based on ethylene. (Cross‐)fractionation techniques combined with state‐of‐the‐art characterization techniques, like quantitative differential scanning calorimetry, are powerful tools for the study of the links between two main topics: molecular structure and crystallization/melting. These form the two ‘Janus faces’ polymers can show, namely Face 1: the molecular structure resulting from polymerization with the keyword ‘nature’; and Face 2: the driving force of crystallization towards a metastable state, with the keyword ‘nurture’. After all, to meet demands for properties of products, in principle one starts with a given molecular architecture, after which dedicated processing, including application of temperature–time ramps, has to do the job. With new instrumentation, especially fast scanning (chip) calorimetry, for the first time in history the driving force towards crystallization into one of the possible metastable states – via Face 2 – can be controlled, of course within certain limits given by Face 1. This promising outlook of combining the faces to a useful symbiosis of Janus will be a challenge for those working in the science of crystallization of polymers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

Special issue session dedicated to the retirement of Prof. Vincent Mathot: polymer thermal analysis and crystallization

“…The first paper was contributed by Prof. Vincent Mathot himself with a retrospective of his personal experience in the development of polymer research activities in DSM since the 1970s. Focusing in particular on his research experience on polyethylene crystallization and fast‐scan DSC.…”