Abstract
The morphology and melt crystallization of zinc catalyzed poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Isothermal melt crystallization performed at 95–135°C showed that the morphology depends on the degree of supercooling, as illustrated by crystallite perfection and lamellar thickening behaviors. Double melting peak was observed on DSC thermograms and attributed to the meltrecrystallization mechanism, small and imperfect crystals becoming gradually more stable ones. Circumferential and hexagonal cracks were detected in PLLA spherulites, which were formed during melt-crystallization at 135°C and quenching in liquid nitrogen. Rhythmic growth and thermal shrinkage are suggested to be the two main factors accounting for the formation of periodic cracks. Spherulite growth rates of PLLA were evaluated by using combined isothermal and nonisothermal procedures, and were analyzed by the secondary nucleation theory. The maximum growth rate reached 9.1 m/ min at 130°C. The temperature range investigated (120– 155°C) belongs to the Regime II of crystallization. The value of U* was found to be 1890 cal/mol, instead of 1500 cal/mol commonly used in literature, and Kg and were estimated to be 3.03 105 K2 and 1.537 104 J/m2, respectively. As a result, no distinct difference between PLLA catalyzed by zinc metal and those prepared with stannous octoate catalyst exists in this work.