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The effect of heat treatment on the microfibrillar network of poly(p‐phenylene benzobisthiazole)
Author(s) -
Cohen Yachin,
Gartstein Efim,
Arndt KarlFriedrich,
Ruland Wilhelm
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.10530
Subject(s) - materials science , phenylene , poly(p phenylene) , composite material , polymer
Materials exhibiting exceptional mechanical properties can be fabricated from rigid polymers. In a spinning process, an oriented solution is solidified by the action of a nonsolvent, which induces crystallization of an oriented rigid polymer. Drying and heat treatment result in the final material having the desired properties. The effect of heat treatment on the morphology of poly(p‐phenylene benzobisthiazole) (PBZT) films was studied by measurements of small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). Films were formed by coagulation in water. The wet films were dried with supercritical CO 2 to maintain an open network structure. Coagulation in water resulted in formation of microfibrils having diameter of ∼9 nm. Heat‐treatment at 600°C caused significant coalescence of microfibrils. The crystallite size was increased by heat treatment from a value that is smaller than the microfibrillar diameter indicating defects in chain packing, to a value comparable to the microfibrillar diameter.