We present a straightforward yet highly efficient approach for controlling the orientations of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) lamellae by introducing pseudopolyrotaxane nanosheets (PPRNSs), a novel class of two-dimensional fillers featuring well-organized polymer brushes. Grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering reveals parallel alignments of uniformly flat-on PEO lamellae to the film surface, and the degrees of their orientations are closely linked to the PPRNS concentration. Via control experiments and comprehensive investigations of crystallization kinetics and morphological evolutions of nanocomposites with different PPRNS contents, we elucidate the mechanism driving lamellar orientation. PPRNSs provide additional nucleation sites for PEO crystallization, thereby influencing the crystallization kinetics. PPRNSs, acting as nucleating agents, accelerate crystallization rates, impacting crystal morphology, crystal growth direction, and crystallinity preservation. Control experiments emphasize the distinct roles of polymer brushes in offering nucleation sites. This study lays the foundation for diverse applications and further explorations of PPRNS-based materials in the fields of polymer nanocomposites, surface engineering, and functional material design.

中文翻译：

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伪聚轮烷纳米片对聚合物结晶的控制


我们提出了一种简单而高效的方法，通过引入假聚轮烷纳米片 （PPRNS） 来控制聚环氧乙烷 （PEO） 薄片的取向，PPRNS 是一类具有组织良好的聚合物刷的新型二维填料。掠入射广角 X 射线散射揭示了均匀平坦的 PEO 薄片与薄膜表面的平行排列，其取向的程度与 PPRNS 浓度密切相关。通过对照实验和对不同 PPRNS 含量纳米复合材料的结晶动力学和形态演变的综合研究，我们阐明了驱动层状取向的机制。PPRNS 为 PEO 结晶提供了额外的成核位点，从而影响结晶动力学。PPRNS 作为成核剂，可加速结晶速率，影响晶体形态、晶体生长方向和结晶度保持。对照实验强调聚合物刷在提供成核位点方面的独特作用。本研究为基于 PPRNS 的材料在聚合物纳米复合材料、表面工程和功能材料设计领域的各种应用和进一步探索奠定了基础。