Comparison of Polyamide‐6 Nanocomposites Based on Pristine and Organic Montmorillonite Obtained via Anionic Ring‐Opening Polymerization

Abstract

Abstract Summary: Exfoliated Na + ‐MMT/polyamide‐6 and intercalated organic MMT/polyamide‐6 nanocomposites were prepared using sodium montmorillonite with water dispersion and organic MMT with acetone dispersion via anionic ring‐opening polymerization, respectively. The effects of Na + ‐MMT and OMMT on the polyamide‐6 were compared. Analysis shows that incorporation of exfoliated Na + ‐MMT obviously improved mechanical properties, thermal stability, crystalline rate and favored formation of a γ ‐crystalline form of matrix, but intercalated OMMT has no obvious effect on it. Nanoscale dispersing Na + ‐MMT dramatically elevated the viscosity of matrix comparing with pure polyamide‐6. FTIR analysis indicates that the exfoliated Na + ‐MMT improved the stability of hydrogen bonding comparing with the OMMT treated by alkylammonium salt modifier, which is different from previous studies. It is believed that hydrogen bonding between Na + ‐MMT and polyamide‐6 plays a pivotal role. FTIR spectra of the NH stretching region of (a) PA, (b) PAM and (c) PAO. image FTIR spectra of the NH stretching region of (a) PA, (b) PAM and (c) PAO.