On the kinetics of polymer crystallization: a possible mechanism

In this study, we propose the dispersive ("long-tail") kinetics concept as a possible candidate for elucidating qualitatively some experimentally noti ced departures from the constancy in a polymer crystal growth rate against time behavior. It turns out to be a consequence of some more detailed consi deration of the polymer (colloid) mass-dependent diffusion coefficient, whi ch is consistent with a microscopic picture of the entire crystallization p henomenon, that is basically a nucleation-and-growth process. The phenomeno n under consideration appears to be solution controlled, with a dominant ro le of solute or solute-solvent interactions. The random adsorption of macro molecules cannot drastically change this picture. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.