The Impact of Molecular Weight Distribution on the Crystalline Texture of Polymers—Illustrated by Lamellar Crystal, Shish–Kebab and Nested Spherulites

Manipulating polymer crystallization behavior and structure without altering chemical composition remains a core challenge in polymer crystallography. Molecular weight, as an intrinsic material property, governs the crystallization process from nucleation through growth. Synthetic polymer materials exhibit molecular weight distribution (MWD), resulting in polydisperse polymer chains within one system. This MWD drives distinct crystalline structures, whereas synergistic crystallization behaviors arise among chains of various lengths. MWD yields complex crystallization behaviors. Especially, spatial molecular weight distribution induces novel crystalline textures in polymer materials. Elucidating the crystallization mechanisms is vital for understanding structure-property relationships in polymers. Herein, the recent advances in the various influences of MWD on polymer crystal textures are systematically demonstrated.