Lamellar single crystals, chain organization

Figure 5. Schematic of chain organization in lamellar single crystals. The chain folds are shown as regular with adjacent reentry although larger loops at the folds are also a possibility. Based on the known degree of polymerization of the nigeran (ca. 1000—2000 anhydroglu-cose units), the chain orientation in the crystals and crystals dimensions, chain folding must occur (14).

While the lamellar structures present in spherulites are similar to those present in polymer single crystals, the folding of chains in spherulites is less organized. Further, the structures that exist between these lamellar structures are generally occupied by amorphous structures including atactic chain segments, low molecular weight chains, and impurities. 

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