Transcrystallization of isotactic polypropylene containing a self-assembled nucleating agent nanonetwork

•A feasible way to prepare transcrystallization of β-form iPP without flow field.•Nucleating agents can form the network throughout the transcrystallization via self-assembly.•The adhesion between fiber and matrix is probably to be improved and the crack propagation in the matrix is restricted.

The transcrystallization of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) containing a network of nucleating agents (NAs) is investigated. The iPP transcrystallization exhibits abundant β-modification crystallization with slight orientation. Throughout the transcrystallization, a network comprising self-assembled NAs is formed during the diffusion of NAs from the poly(l-lactic acid) fiber to the iPP matrix. The self-assembled network of NAs is formed in binary, phase-separated mixtures. The network provides continuous reinforcing structures, which could be used to improve fiber-matrix adhesion and resist crack propagation. These results are beneficial in understanding the self-assembly process and transcrystallization.

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