title: Chemical Etching Technique for the Investigation of Melt-crystallized Isotactic Polypropylene Spherulite and Lamellar Morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy.
abstract: The spherulitic and lamellar morphologies of melt crystallized isotactic polypropylene (iPP) have been investigated according to various crystallization temperatures and times. In this study, an appropriate chemical etching condition for the observation of iPP morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is determined. The optimum etchant formulation is 3 wt% potassium permanganate with the mixed solvent of sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid. The morphologies after etching reveal the microstructure of iPP clearly, such as the characterization of alpha/beta spherulites and the different lamellar growth patterns.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Center, Samsung General Chemicals, 103-6, Moonji-Dong, Yusong-Ku, Taejeon, South Korea 305-380.
authors.forename: Jemyung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kyuyoung
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.forename: Ohjun
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Sangsun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Woo