The effect of nanoclay on the creation of clusters of polyamide 6 microfibrils

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Polymer and Textile Department, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

2 Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute (IPPI), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The PA6/clay nanocomposites were prepared during in-situ anionic ring-opening polymerization (AROP) via reactive melt blending in a Hakke internal mixer. Then, the samples were characterized using FT-IR, DSC, DMTA, rheometer, XRD, SEM/EDX/elemental mapping, TEM, and HT-GPC to study the effects of Cloisite 15A on PA6 properties. The results showed that nanoclay caused a decrease in the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), crystallinity, Tm, Tg, and tan δ of the samples. However, it increased the Young′s modulus and stress rupture of the samples. Furthermore, the nanocomposites showed a pseudo-solid behavior because of the reinforcing effect of the nanoparticles. Additionally, α crystals were not seen in the samples with 1 and 3 % nanoclay; however, γ crystals were observable in those samples. Also, nanoclay decreased PA6 viscosity and increased dispersity and residual monomers in the nanocomposite samples. The nanoclays exfoliated in the sample have 0.5 % nanoparticles, but they were intercalated by more loading in the PA6 matrix. Moreover, the PA6 microfibrils were observed as sporadic and clay-centered clusters in the SEM micrographs of the pure and nanocomposite samples, respectively. Therefore, the clustering of PA6 microfibrils in the matrix during in-situ AROP is considered a novelty in current research.

Graphical Abstract

The effect of nanoclay on the creation of clusters of polyamide 6 microfibrils

Highlights

  • In the PA6/clay nanocomposite (0.5 % nanoclay), the nanoparticles were exfoliated.
  • In the PA6/clay nanocomposites (1 and 3% nanoclay), the particles were intercalated.
  • The PA6/clay nanocomposite showed a pseudo-solid behavior.
  • The clay-centered PA6 microfibrils clustering during AROP has not been reported before.
  • The clusters of PA6 microfibrils formed whose growth from the nanoclay.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Particle Science and Technology
Volume 8, Issue 1
May 2022
Pages 25-37

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 October 2022
  • Revise Date: 23 November 2022
  • Accept Date: 27 November 2022

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