Estimation of Hoffman-Lauritzen parameters from nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of PET/MWCNT nanocomposites

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Nucleated PET/ multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites with different MWCNTs loadings were prepared by melt compounding. The influence of the addition of MWCNTs and precipitated PET (p-PET) on the morphology and thermal properties of the nanocomposites was investigated. From Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) and Wide angle X-Ray diffraction (WAXD) study, it can be clearly seen that nanocomposites with low MWCNTs contents (0.1 wt. %) get better MWCNTs dispersion than higher MWCNT loading. Comparing with PET, nucleated PET nanocomposite with 0.1% MWCNT loading shows higher value of Lauritzen-Hoffman parameters U* and Kg evaluated using the differential isoconversional method. Crystallization regime transition temperature range shifts to higher temperature (208°C - 215°C) for nanocomposites. The presence of p-PET in addition of MWCNT, which act as good nucleating agent, enhanced the crystallization of PET through heterogeneous nucleation.