Direct observation of the interpenetrated spherulites by atomic force microscopy

Abstract

Interpenetrated spherulites of poly(butylene succinate)/poly(vinylidene chloride-co-vinyl chloride) (PBSU/PVDCVC) blends were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images showed that the lamellar population-density of PBSU was higher than that of PVDCVC in a blend. This enables the lamellae of PBSU to penetrate into PVDCVC spherulites. AFM images of the spherulitic border between PBSU and PVDCVC spherulites in a blend showed the change in the growth orientation of PBSU lamellae and the absence of the depression in the height profile. The results indicated that the PBSU lamellae penetrated along the PVDCVC lamellae. The lamellar population-density of PVDCVC spherulites penetrated by PBSU was higher than that of what were not penetrated by PBSU.