Manika Varma-Nair

Non isothermal heat capacities and chemical reactions using a modulated DSC

An evaluation of measurements of heat capacities by modulated differential scanning calorimetry, MDSC is presented. Heat capacities were obtained from 130 to 550 K by a non isothermal technique in which a periodic modulation was added to the linear heating rate. Effects of amplitude and period of modulation, sample weight, sample type, pan type, and cell imbalance are described. Results are compared with those obtained using the isothermal technique. Heat capacity could be measured well into the decomposition region and separated from the non reversing signal due to chemical reaction (degradation), thus allowing a precise detection of onsets of the thermal degradation. This additional information will aid in the interpretation of the degradation chemistry, a field vital for the petroleum-industry.

Quiesent Crystallization Kinetics of Nucleated Metallocene and ZN Isotactic Polypropylenes

Crystallization kinetics and thermodynamic properties of nucleated isotactic polypropylene (PP) are analyzed using Hoffman—Lauritzen crystallization theory to determine the mechanistic effects of the nucleators. Calorimetric data provides quantitative comparisons between nucleating efficiences of the α (Millad) and β (NJSTAR) nucleator in Metallocene (M) and Ziegler—Natta (ZN) PP. The two types of PP without nucleators showed similar crystallization behavior though the T°m for ZN-iPP was about 10°C higher than M-iPP. Both nucleators show significant improvement in crystallization rate in both types of PP. In addition, Millad outperforms NJSTAR. The magnitude of the kinetic response is,however, different and both the nucleators appear to function better in ZN than in Metallocene PP. β nucleated PP shows predominantly the β form. The amount of the β form is thermal history dependent and changes with supercooling (ΔT=T°m−Tc). Similar equilibrium melting temperature (T°m) in the α nucleated and control PPs indicates the lack of any thermodynamic effect of the α nucleator. All nucleated PPs show a much lower secondary nucleation rate constant, Kg.

ANALYSIS OF A SYMMETRIC NEOPOLYOL ESTER I. Measurement and calculation of heat capacity

Quantitative thermal analysis was carried out for tetra[methyleneoxycarbonyl(2,4,4-trimethyl)pentyl]methane. The ester has a glass transition temperature of 219 K and a melting temperature of 304 K. The heat of fusion is 51.3 kJ mol -1 , and the increase in heat capacity at the glass transition is 250 J K -1 mol -1 . The measured and calculated heat capacities of the solid and liquid states from 130 to 420 K are reported and a discussion of the glass and melting transitions is presented. The computation of the heat capacity made use of the Advanced Thermal Analysis System, ATHAS, using an approximate group-vibration spectrum and a Tarasov treatment of the skeletal vibrations. The experimental and calculated heat capacities of the solid ester were compared over the whole temperature range to detect changes in order and the presence of large-amplitude motion. An addition scheme for heat capacities of this and related esters was developed and used for the extrapolation of the heat capacity of the liquid state for this ester. The liquid heat capacity for the title ester is well represented by 691.1+1.668 T [J K -1 mol -1 ). A deficit in the entropy and enthalpy of fusion was observed relative to values estimated from empirical addition schemes, but no gradual disordering was noted outside the transition region. The final interpretation of this deficit of conformational entropy needs structure and mobility analysis by solid state 13 C NMR and X-ray diffraction. These analyses are reported in part II of this investigation.