Direct Evaluation of the Electron Density Correlation Function of Partially Crystalline Polymers

Abstract

A discussion of the general properties of the one-dimensional electron density correlation function K(z) of a partially crystalline polymer with lamellar structure shows that application of a graphical extrapolation procedure permits direct determination of the crystallinity, the specific inner surface, and the electron density difference c - a. The procedure is based upon the occurrence of a straight section in the self-correlation range of K(z). Curved and nonparallel lamellae do not invalidate the concept. In the case of heterogeneous samples composed of partially crystalline and totally amorphous regions, some of the parameters of the experimentally obtained correlation function, as for example the invariant K(0), are affected and may lose their definiteness. Use of the method is demonstrated in a detailed discussion of the correlation functions measured for a sample of lowdensity polyethylene at 25 and 100°C.