Effects of carbon nanofibers on the crystallization kinetics of polyethylene oxide

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the crystallization behavior of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and carbon nanofiber (CNF) filled PEO systems under non-isothermal experimental conditions. The dispersion and distribution of CNF of the composites were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Studies showed the uniform segregation of CNFs in PEO. Different crystallization kinetic models were used to study the dependence of crystal nucleation on the filler content. Modified Avrami analysis showed that PEO undergoes change of crystallization from 3-D to 1-D crystal while going from primary to secondary crystallization. The crystallization kinetic of PEO reversed at CNF loading higher than 1 wt% of PEO. Based on modified Avrami and the combined approach of Avrami and Ozawa, it is concluded that the CNF retards the crystallization of PEO at all CNF loading under study.