Isothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Poly (Ethylene 2,5-Furandicarboxylate)

Poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF) is a polyester from ethylene glycol and 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid which has gained increasing interest due to its excellent properties compared to chemically similar PET. This paper presents an estimation of the crystallization enthalpy, the crystalline and amorphous density and the crystallization kinetics of PEF. Using Avrami and the Hoffman-Lauritzen theory, Hoffman-Lauritzen parameters are proposed that relate crystal growth rate of catalyst-free PEF to temperature and molecular weight. Characteristic is a higher activation energy for chain diffusion (U*) for PEF compared PET, which can be attributed to more restricted chain conformational changes. Finally, the crystallization rate of PEF is shown to be significantly affected by catalyst type.