The Melting Behavior of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)/SiO₂ Nanocomposites

Abstract

The melting and recrystallization behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/SiO2 nanocomposites after isothermal crystallization from the melt was studied by step-scan differential scanning calorimetry (SDSC). The influences of SiO2 contents, crystallization temperature, and crystallization time on the melting process were examined. Two melting endotherms (in the SDSC CP.A curves, reversible part) and one recrystallization exotherm (in the SDSC CP.IsoK curves, irreversible part) of PET/SiO2 nanocomposites after isothermal crystallization were observed during the melting process. All are ascribed to the melting–recrystallization mechanism. The low-temperature endotherm is attributed to the melting of initial crystals formed during the isothermal treatment and the high temperature endotherm to the melting of recrystallization materials. The reason why more recrystallization happened with the increase of SiO2 content is given and the process of recrystallization was described in detail. The effects of crystal perfection and recrystallization were minimized by increasing crystallization temperature and time.