Directed Crystallisation of Synthetic Polymers by Low‐Molar‐Mass Self‐Assembled Templates

A novel and powerful method of microstructure control in polyolefins is presented. By dispersing tiny amounts of sorbitol derivatives in the polymer, the subsequent crystal growth can be controlled with modest prior flow‐fields; in particular high levels of preferred orientation are generated in the resultant crystals. Under shear flow, the additive forms highly extended crystals which lie parallel to the flow‐field and which serve to direct the crystallisation of the polymer leading to a massive amplification of the anisotropy present in the melt. TEM image of a carbon replica taken from an etched surface of a PE sample containing 1% of DBS. magnified image TEM image of a carbon replica taken from an etched surface of a PE sample containing 1% of DBS.