Isotactic polypropylene, β-phase: A study in frustration

D. L. Dorset, M. P. McCourt, S. Kopp, M. Schumacher, T. Okihara, B. Lotz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

128 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The three-dimensional crystal structure of isotactic polypropylene in its β-polymorphic form has been refined against electron diffraction intensity data. Microtwinning by merohedry, probably in two antichiral domains in space groups P31 and P32, was identified by sharp continuous diffraction in h0l patterns from epitaxially crystallized samples. Nevertheless, a rather simple model of a frustrated chain packing could be improved by Fourier methods even though the solution of the structure by direct methods was itself frustrated by the extensive overlap of Fhk0 and Fkh0 or Fhkℓ and Fhk,-ℓ amplitudes which led initially to a false prediction of space group symmetry.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6331-6337
Number of pages7
Journalpolymer
Volume39
Issue number25
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Frustrated chain packing
  • Isotactic polypropylene
  • β-polymorphic form

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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