Growth of novel stereo-open spherulites in a bisphenol-A polycarbonate/dioctyl phthalate blend at hydrostatic pressure

Abstract

Bisphenol-A polycarbonate/dioctyl phthalate blend samples crystallized at a hydrostatic pressure were investigated by WAXD, DSC and SEM measurements. Some novel stereo-open spherulitic structures, i.e., peony-, cabbage-, seaweed-, and lotus-like spherulites, were observed which belong to a three-dimensional structure and were only composed of crystalline region. The foleded-chain lamellar crystal was proved to be the sub-structure of these spherulites. This study also suggests a new route to grow such crystals so as to promote the understanding of the formation process and mechanism of polymer spherulites.