Nucleus crystallisation

Polypropylene molecules repeatedly fold upon themselves to form lamellae, the sizes of which ate a function of the crystallisa tion conditions. Higher degrees of order are obtained upon formation of crystalline aggregates, or spheruHtes. The presence of a central crystallisation nucleus from which the lamellae radiate is clearly evident in these stmctures. Observations using cross-polarized light illustrates the characteristic Maltese cross model (Fig. 2b). The optical and mechanical properties ate a function of the size and number of spheruHtes and can be modified by nucleating agents. Crystallinity can also be inferred from thermal analysis (28) and density measurements (29). 

These experimental results could not be confirmed by Lahav and co-workers they suggest that impurities in the starting materials have a much greater effect on the crystallisation process than the PVED (Parity Violating Energy Difference). Extensive experimental studies indicate the importance of small quantities of impurities, particularly in early phases of crystallisation nucleus formation. Amino acids from various sources were used, and the analyses were carried out using the enan-tioselective gas chromatography technique (M. Lahav et al 2006). 

Nuclei with a radius r smaller than are disrupted by the thermal motion when r > rk the nuclei are stable and ean grow, is determined by the competition between the formation of new interfaee (interfacial energy has to be supplied) and the production of crystallisation heat. In the formula for rjj, Tm -T) is in the denominator, which indicates that with stronger super-cooling a nucleus can grow more easily. 

In the rate of crystallisation of a substance from a supersaturated solution two independent factors have to he considered, firstly the rate of nucleus formation from which crystallisation may proceed and secondly the rate of growth of a nucleus once it is formed. 

The sulphonation of toluene (Expt 6.37) with concentrated sulphuric acid at 100-120°C results in the formation of toluene-p-sulphonic acid as the chief product, accompanied by small amounts of the ortho and meta isomers these are easily removed by crystallisation of the sodium salt of the para isomer in the presence of sodium chloride. Sulphonation of naphthalene at about 160°C yields largely the 2-sulphonic acid (the product of thermodynamic control) (Expt 6.38) at lower temperatures (0-60 °C) the 1-sulphonic acid (the product of kinetic control) is produced almost exclusively. In both cases the product is isolated as its sodium salt. In anthraquinone the carbonyl groups deactivate the aromatic nucleus towards electrophilic attack and vigorous conditions of sulphonation are required, i.e. oleum at about 160 °C. The product is largely sodium anthraquinone-2-sulphonate (Expt 6.39). 

As a model of the nucleus in polymer crystallisation one often takes a rectangular prism. A breakthrough in this respect was the discovery and exploration of polymer single crystals (Schlesinger (1953) and Keller (1957)) which are indeed small prisms, platelets of polymeric chains, folded back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the basal plane (see Fig. 19.1)... 

Critical Oxygen Index (COI), 853 Critical size, 704-705 Critical spherical nucleus, 710, 711 Critical strain, 867, 868 Critical stress energy factor, 474 Critical surface tension of wetting, 232 Critical temperature, 655 Cross-linked polymers, 29 Cross-linking, 148 Cross model, 731 Cross polarisation, 376, 377 Crystallinity, 728, 732, 815 Crystallites/Crystallisation, 690, 725 of rigid macromolecules, 739 Cyclical chain length, 782... 

A clear distinction between crystallisation and precipitation is not always possible from a practical point of view [57] hence, it is more convenient to consider precipitation as a very fast crystallisation process. Crystallisation is a result of the combined effects of nucleation, nucleus growth and secondary processes inside the suspension such as agglomeration, ageing and recrystallisation. Depending on the reaction conditions, the above processes can occur together or sequentially during the crystallisation period. 

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