The Effect of Microwave Radiation on the Supramolecular Structure of Polypropylene Fiber Materials

Abstract

The results of investigations of structural-phase transitions in the polypropylene melt-blown fiber materials before and after their short-term exposure to microwave radiation are presented. Using the methods of X-ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), it is shown that the smectic mesomorphic phase transforms into a stable monoclinic α-crystalline structure due to dielectric heating of the water molecules adsorbed on the surface of the material, without any changes in its crystallinity degree. Based on the calorimetric data, it is found that a microwave treatment of the material results in the formation of a crystalline phase with a homogeneous structure and increases its melting temperature.