Effect of content and particle size of talc on nonisothermal melt crystallization behavior of poly(l-lactide)

This work examined the effect of content and particle size of nucleating agent on nonisothermal melt crystallization behavior of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA). Two different particle sizes of talc were used as the nucleating agents of PLLA. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that both big and small particles of talc were homogeneously dispersed in the PLLA matrix. Talc significantly accelerated the nonisothermal melt crystallization rate of PLLA. The effect of smaller particle talc on crystallization was obviously better than that of the bigger one. The activation energy based on Friedman equation was evaluated. Lower activation energy was obtained for nucleated PLLA. Finally, addition of talc did not modify the crystal structure.