Polymorphism in Nylon‐11: Characterization using HTWAXS and HTFTIR

Abstract

Abstract Nylon‐11 was crystallized into different crystalline phases by appropriate methods. The α phase was obtained by precipitating nylon‐11 in 1,4‐butanediol. The melt crystallized sample at 175 °C gave pseudohexagonal phase. The γ phase was obtained by casting nylon‐11 in trifluroacetic acid (TFA). The change in the structure was monitored in situ by high temperature wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (HTWAXS) and high temperature Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (HTFTIR). The studies have shown that nylon‐11 is one of the few nylons that exhibit extensive degree of polymorphism. HTFTIR studies revealed, apart from the conformational differences between various phases of nylon‐11, some information on the formation of γ phase.