Crystallisation in polymer films: control of morphology and kinetics of an organic dye in a polysilicone matrix

The successful selection, design and synthesis of additives for the control of nucleation and crystallisation of a red anthraquinone based dye is described. This procedure is based on the crystal structure and morphology of solution grown crystals and in this study the possibility of using the same approach to control crystallisation within an amorphous polymeric matrix is explored. The work has been motivated by the desire to prepare stable dye sheets for thermal transfer printing applications, yet the parallel with natural biomineralisation processes is clear.