Nucleation of crystallization of polyester by catalyst remnants—a review

The antimony catalyst content of poly(ethylene terephthalate) has an appreciable effect on the tendency of the polymer to crystallize upon cooling from the melt. Nucleation density increases significantly as antimony catalyst concentration increases. The crystallization tendency of the polymer at a given molecular weight correlates strongly with both the antimony content and the diethylene glycol comonomer content. The behavioral patterns of nucleation by catalyst remnants are similar in polyester prepared from terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate. The antimony catalyst is deposited in the polyester matrix in a form suitable to nucleate quiescent crystallization. The differences in tendency to crystallize that correlate with catalyst and diethylene glycol comonomer content are reflected in the crystallinity of injection molded samples.