Influence of the environment on the phase II - I transformation of isotactic polybutene-1

The phase II to I transformation process of isotactic polybutene–1 (iPB-1) is influenced by the environment besides the usual physical factors. The phase II → I transformation rate depends, first of all, on the segmental mobility of the polymer chains. Environmental substances which are good solvents of iPB-1 increased the phase transformation rate at room temperature. Other substances, such as air, water, some acids or blends with atactic polypropylene, decreased the transformation rate in comparison with a sample exposed to a phosphorus pentoxide desiccant environment. The environmental effects also influence several other structural characteristics, such as sample crystallinity and crystallite size. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC