Morphology and crystallization of Poly(4-methyl pentene-1) and its Blends with Hydrogenated Oligo(cyclopentadiene)

The paper discusses the morphology, melting behavior, and process of crystallization of poly(4-methylpentene-1) (P4MP1) and its blends with an amorphous oligomer, hydrogenated oligocyclopentadiene (HOCP). The study was performed by using optical and electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray scattering. In all ranges of compositions and temperatures investigated, P4MP1 and HOCP components were not miscible. The HOCP formed segregated domains in the P4MP1 matrix. Depending on thermal treatment, different melting behaviors and morphologies were obtained. In particular, varying the crystallization conditions and composition one or two populations of lamellae of different thickness formed. The half-time of crystallization drastically increased following the addition of HOCP. This increase was mainly accounted for by the additional energy required to perform the occlusion of the HOCP domains by the P4MP1 molecules during the crystallization.