The interaction of poly(L-lactic acid) and the nucleating agent N,N′-bis(benzoyl) suberic acid dihydrazide

Since N,N'-bis(benzoyl) suberic acid dihydrazide [NA(S)] acts as a powerful nucleating agent for poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), it is necessary to study the nucleation mechanism of NA(S) in the crystallization of PLLA. The interaction between PLLA and NA(S) was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy. The results from FT-IR and temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy showed that a hydrogen bond between the C=O of PLLA and the N-H of NA(S) was formed. The TGA also indicated the existence of an intense interaction between PLLA and NA(S), resulting in the potent nucleation ability of NA(S) for PLLA. Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) were employed to simulate the interaction of PLLA on the NA(S) surface. The simulation results further confirmed the hydrogen bond between PLLA and NA(S). The MDS study also analyzed the interaction energy between PLLA and NA(S). The MDS results can be used to select the proper nucleating agents and design novel organic nucleating agents.