Hoffman nucleation theory is a theory developed by John D. Hoffman and coworkers in the 1970s and 80s that attempts to describe the crystallization of a polymer in terms of the kinetics and thermodynamics of polymer surface nucleation. The theory introduces a model where a surface of completely crystalline polymer is created and introduces surface energy parameters to describe the process. Hoffman nucleation theory is more of a starting point for polymer crystallization theory and is better known for its fundamental roles in the Hoffman–Weeks lamellar thickening and Lauritzen–Hoffman growth theory.
Polymer morphology
Polymers contain different morphologies on the molecular level which give rise to their macro properties. Long range disorder in the polymer chain is representative of amorphous solids, and the chain segments are considered amorphous. Long range polymer order is similar to crystalline material, and chain segments are considered crystalline. The thermal characteristics of polymers are fundamentally different from those of most solid materials. Solid materials typically have one melting point, the Tm, above which the material loses internal molecular ordering and becomes a liquid. Polymers have both a melting temperature Tm and a glass transition temperature Tg. Above the Tm, the polymer chains lose their molecular ordering and exhibit reptation, or mobility. Below the Tm, but still above the Tg, the polymer chains lose some of their long-range mobility and can form either crystalline or amorphous regions. In this temperature range, as the temperature decreases, amorphous regions can transition into crystalline regions, causing the bulk material to become more crystalline over all. Below the Tg, molecular motion is stopped and the polymer chains are essentially frozen in place. In this temperature range, amorphous regions can no longer transition into crystalline regions, and the polymer as a whole has reached its maximum crystallinity.
Hoffman nucleation theory addresses the amorphous to crystalline polymer transition, and this transition can only occur in the temperature range between the Tm and Tg. The transition from an amorphous to a crystalline single polymer chain is related to the random thermal energy required to align and fold sections of the chain to form ordered regions titled lamellae, which are a subset of even bigger structures called spherulites. The crystallization of polymers can be brought about by several different methods, and is a complex topic in itself.
Nucleation Nucleation is the formation and growth of a new phase with or without the presence of external surface. The presence of this surface results in heterogeneous nucleation whereas in its absence homogeneous nucleation occurs. Heterogeneous nucleation occurs in cases where there are pre-existing nuclei present, such as tiny dust particles suspended in a liquid or gas or reacting with a glass surface containing SiO2. For the process of Hoffman nucleation and its progression to Lauritzen–Hoffman growth theory, homogeneous nucleation is the main focus. Homogeneous nucleation occurs where no such contaminants are present and is less commonly seen. Homogeneous nucleation begins with small clusters of molecules forming from one phase to the next. As the clusters grow, they aggregate through the condensation of other molecules. The size continues to increase and ultimately form macroscopic droplets (or bubbles depending on the system). Nucleation is often described mathematically through the change in Gibbs free energy of n moles of vapor at vapor pressure P that condenses into a drop. Also the nucleation barrier, in polymer crystallization, consists of both enthalpic and entropic components that must be over come. This barrier consists of selection processes taking place in different length and time scales which relates to the multiple regimes later on. This barrier is the free energy required to overcome in order to form nuclei. It is the formation of the nuclei from the bulk to a surface that is the interfacial free energy. The interfacial free energy is always a positive term and acts to destabilize the nucleus allowing the continuation of the growing polymer chain. The nucleation continues as a favorable reaction.
Thermodynamics of polymer crystallization The Lauritzen–Hoffman plot (right) models the three different regimes when (logG) + U*/k(T-T0) is plotted against (TΔT)−1. It can be used to describe the rate at which secondary nucleation competes with lateral addition at the growth front among the different temperatures. This theory can be used to help understand the preferences of nucleation and growth based on the polymer's properties including its standard melting temperature.
Lamellar thickening (Hoffman–Weeks plot) For many polymers, the change between the initial lamellar thickness at Tc is roughly the same as at Tm and can thus be modeled by the Gibbs–Thomson equation fairly well. However, since it implies that the lamellar thickness over the given supercooling range (Tm–Tc) is unchanged, and many homogeneous nucleation of polymers implies a change of thickness at the growth front, Hoffman and Weeks pursued a more accurate representation. In this regard, the Hoffman-Weeks plot was created and can be modeled through the equation
T m = T c β + ( 1 − 1 β ) T m ∘ {\displaystyle T_{\text{m}}={T_{\text{c}} \over \beta }+(1-{1 \over \beta })T_{\text{m}}^{\circ }}
where β is representative of a thickening factor given by L = L0 β and Tcand Tm are the crystallization and melting temperatures, respectively. Applying this experimentally for a constant β allows for the determination of the equilibrium melting temperature, Tm° at the intersection of Tcand Tm.
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