ISSN:
0887-6266
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
Primary nucleation of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF2) γ-phase crystals from the melt is affected by the presence of an electric field. Crystallization under the electric field is studied by polarized optical microscopy, thermal analysis, and wide-angle x-ray diffraction. Preliminary results indicate that the γ-phase crystal nucleation rate and content are enhanced by the electric field.A modification of the classical theory of homogeneous nucleation of a crystalline phase is proposed to account for the experimental observations. Electrostatic interaction between the nucleus total polarization and the electric field contributes to the free energy of nucleation to a very large extent at low undercooling. Theoretical predictions indicate that a static electric field will increase the nucleation rate of a polar phase and will decrease the nucleation rate of a nonpolar phase. Confirmation of the former fact is observed experimentally.
Additional Material:
5 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/polb.1988.090260703
