Direct observation of a stereocomplex crystallite network in the asymmetric polylactide enantiomeric blends

In the past a stereocomplex crystallite network was inferred in the asymmetric poly (l-lactide) (PLLA)/poly (d-lactide) (PDLA) blends. This study directly witnessed a honeycomb stereocomplex crystallite network in the blends with high-molecular-weight PDLA as a minor component via selective dissolution. High-molecular-weight PDLA spanned and connected stereocomplex crystallites to produce the honeycomb network that survived during selective dissolution. The stereocomplex crystallite network significantly accelerated melt crystallization of PLLA matrix owing to remarkable nucleating effects. Finally, the origin of the stereocomplex crystallite network was illustrated.