Effect of photofunctional organo anion-intercalated layered double hydroxide nanoparticles on poly(ethylene terephthalate) nonisothermal crystallization kinetics

Very recently, we report a facile preparation and strong UV-shielding function of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposites using 4,4′-diaminostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid anion-intercalated layered double hydroxide (LDH_DDA). Herein, the effect of the photofunctional organo anion-intercalated LDH nanoparticles on nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of PET is reported by differential scanning calorimetry technique. First, the nonisothermal crystallization behaviour is discussed by several basic parameters including crystallization peak temperature, relative degree of crystallinity with temperature or time, and half-time of crystallization. Then, Avrami and Jeziorny method, as well as Mo model were applied for the PET/LDH_DDA nanocomposites. Finally, the crystallization activation energy was investigated by Kissinger method and Flynn conversion. The results reveal that the incorporation of LDH_DDA nanoparticles acted as nucleating agent and significantly accelerated the PET nonisothermal crystallization process, whereas had little effect on the three-dimensional growth pattern of spherulites.