Magnetic-field-induced alignment of syndiotactic polystyrene

Magnetic-field-induced alignment of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) is reported here. Isothermal crystallization of sPS samples from several annealing temperatures was conducted in a 2 or 10 T magnetic field. The isothermal crystallization of low-molecular-weight sPS samples from the annealing temperature, which induced self-seeding, achieved effective alignment of the polymer chains. Azimuthal scans of the samples crystallized in the magnetic field revealed that the b-axis of the β-phase unit cell was aligned parallel to the magnetic field. A low sPS molecular weight and a high magnetic field were effective for a high degree of alignment. Stepwise crystallization from the annealing temperature also induced effective alignment of the sPS.