Synthesis of Exfoliated Monomer Casting Polyamide 6/Na⁺‐Montmorillonite Nanocomposites by Anionic Ring Opening Polymerization

Abstract

Abstract Summary: In this work, a novel method using water as a pre‐dispersant of pristine sodium montmorillonite (Na + ‐MMT) and ε ‐caprolactam (CL) monomer was developed for the preparation of exfoliated monomer casting polyamide 6 (MCPA6)/MMT nanocomposites via in situ anionic ring opening polymerization. The dispersion effect of MMT in the MCPA6 matrix was investigated by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), as well as transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). The results indicated that nanoscale dispersed MMT was successfully achieved in the MCPA6 matrix. Furthermore, the addition of a small amount of MMT dramatically improved the thermal stability of MCAP6. Analysis using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and XRD indicated that nanoscale dispersed MMT sheets acted as heterogeneous nucleation agents, which favored the formation of the γ ‐crystalline form of the MCPA6 matrix. MMT dispersing sketch in the course of polymerization. magnified image MMT dispersing sketch in the course of polymerization.