The mechanisms of crystallization and melting of polymers are different from those of small molecular systems due to their conformational entropy and entangled states. As examples, the path of crystallization is different from that of melting and these two are not reversible, as reflected in different crystallization and melting temperatures for the same polymer. Another example is the memory of a thoroughly homogenized melt undergoing crystallization that it had been a crystal before forming the melt. Based on our statistical mechanics theory and Langevin dynamics simulations, we will present recent conceptual advances in the fundamental understanding of polymer crystallization, recrystallization, melting, and melt memory.

Molecular mechanisms of crystallization, recrystallization, melting, and melt memory

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.