Effects of entanglement on polymer crystal growth and intercrystalline phase formation

Two crystalline seeds with various relative orientations and distances are placed in molten PE samples to trigger instantaneous crystallization under quiescent conditions. Using the Z1+ algorithm, we monitor the distributions and relaxation of entangled chains near the seeds during crystallization.

We show that crystal growth requires alignment and disentanglement of polymer strands. As crystallization proceeds, the polymer dynamics become hindered near the crystals. A layer of trapped entanglement consisting of loops and ties accumulates near the crystal surface and, in turn, impedes the crystal growth.