The physical and mechanical properties of semi-crystalline polymers are significantly influenced by morphology, phase composition and molecular mobility in different phases. Therefore, a quantitative characterization of these meso-/nano-scopic characteristics of semi-crystalline polymers is of great importance to advance our understanding of their properties. Time-domain proton NMR is a sensitive and robust method for determining phase composition and chain motions in complex multiphase polymers in cases when the motion of chain segments in the different phases differs significantly. The method allows us to detect small difference in segmental mobility in amorphous phase caused by difference in molecular structure of polymers, processing conditions, thermal history and deformation. A few examples of the use of this information for understanding the functional properties of semi-crystalline polymers will be provided.

Physical structures of semi-crystalline polymers in relation to their functional properties

255th National Meeting (2018)

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