CRYSTALLIZATION IN POLYMER-FILMS - CONTROL OF MORPHOLOGY AND KINETICSOF AN ORGANIC-DYE IN A POLYSILICONE MATRIX

The successful selection, design and synthesis of additives for the co ntrol of nucleation and crystallisation of a red anthraquinone based d ye is described. This procedure is based on the crystal structure and morphology of solution grown crystals and in this study the possibilit y of using the same approach to control-crystallisation within an amor phous polymeric matrix is explored. The work has been motivated by the desire to prepare stable dye sheets for thermal transfer printing app lications, yet the parallel with natural biomineralisation processes i s clear.