The Use of a Low‐Molar‐Mass Self‐Assembled Template to Direct the Crystallisation of Poly(ε‐caprolactone)

Summary: We show that small quantities of dibenzylidene sorbitol dispersed in poly( ε ‐caprolactone) provide a self‐assembling nanoscale framework to yield high levels of crystal orientation. During modest shear flow of the melt, the additive forms highly extended nanoparticles which adopt a preferred alignment with respect to the flow field and, on cooling, polymer crystallisation is directed by these particles. We speculate that atomistic level epitaxy is unlikely to be the only directing influence. SAXS pattern of PCL/DBS in the melt at 80 °C and subjected to a shear flow of 10 s −1 for 1 000 shear units. The flow direction is vertical. magnified image SAXS pattern of PCL/DBS in the melt at 80 °C and subjected to a shear flow of 10 s −1 for 1 000 shear units. The flow direction is vertical.