Accelerated Stereocomplex Crystallization of Poly(L-lactide)/Poly(D-lactide) Blends by Long Terminal Linear Alkyl Groups

The accelerating effect of terminal n-alkyl groups (TAGs) on the non-isothermal crystallization of poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) blends increased with TAG length in the low temperature range below 100 degrees C and that on isothermal stereocomplex crystallization of poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) blends became maximal at terminal n-hexyl group in the high temperature range above 165 degrees C. However, the decelerating effect on isothermal stereocomplex crystallization was observed for terminal n-docosyl group in the high temperature range above 165 degrees C. The TAG length did not alter the crystallite growth morphology during non-isothermal crystallization, the formed crystalline species (only stereocomplex crystallites) and the crystallite growth mechanism during isothermal crystallization.