Supernucleation Dominates Lignin/Poly(ethylene oxide) Crystallization Kinetics

The effect of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) on the crystallization kinetics poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is examined. Lignin from spruce and ionic isolation was used to prepare LNPs with a number-averaged diameter 85 nm (with relatively large polydispersity) by an ultrasonication method. PEO-based nanocomposites four different LNP contents (5, 10, 15, 20 wt %) were prepared subject isothermal nonisothermal protocols in series experiments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed well-dispersed crystallized PEO matrix. incorporation exponentially increases nucleation density at moderate loadings, this trend apparently saturating higher loadings. However, spherulitic growth rate decreases monotonically loading. This attributed substantial PEO/LNP affinity, which impacts chain diffusion induces supernucleation efficiencies order 200%), but leads slower rates. overall kinetics, measured DSC, shows faster nanocomposite rates relative neat all indicates that dominates over decrease rates, although its influence slightly as content increases. strong hydrogen-bonded interactions between are thus reminiscent confinement effects found polymer-grafted NP (e.g., PEO-g-SiO2/PEO) brush-controlled regime.