Time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction studies on the nanostructure of melt-processable molecular composites

Novel melt-processable molecular composites were obtained from isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and liquid-crystalline oligoester (LCO). The nanostructure and thermal behaviour of molecular composites were examined by real-time synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction methods, and differential scanning calorimetry. The synthesized oligoester, with low melting temperature (391 K), exhibits the ability to form a thermotropic mesophase. It was shown that strong rigid rod-like macromolecules of LCO are dispersed at the molecular scale in iPP matrix and act as reinforcing fibres.