Local segmental miscibility dominating stereocomplex crystallization in polymer blends

Abstract

In this simulation study, based on the control of simulation time during diffusion step, polymer blend systems with different initial mixing parameters (that is, segmental miscibility) can be obtained. Then, the formation of stereocomplex crystals (SCs) in those systems with different segmental miscibility was investigated. In this case, we can reveal the impact of segmental miscibility on the SC formation ability while excluding the influence of other factors, such as chain segment mobility and nucleation mode. It was observed that the systems with higher initial mixing parameters have stronger stereocomplexation ability. It was demonstrated that the local segment diffusion can also affect the SC formation. Enhanced chain segment diffusion in the polymer blend system can result in an increase in the local segmental miscibility, thus promoting the SC formation.