Studies on the Crystallization Behavior of Nylon-6 in the Presence of Layered Silicates Using Variable Temperature WAXS and FTIR

Abstract

The crystallization of nylon-6 clay nanocomposite was studied by variable temperature wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Nylon-6 was found to crystallize into γ phase at 210 °C, as indicated by its characteristic peaks in WAXS. However, an additional peak was observed close but on the lower angle side of the main γ phase peak, indicating the presence of a metastable phase. The extent of metastable phase that developed was dictated by the clay content in the nanocomposite as well as the crystallization conditions. The temperature dependence of the d spacing of the γ phase obtained in the presence of clay layers showed difference from the γ phase obtained by treating nylon-6 in KI/I 2 solution. Variable temperature FTIR studies were conducted on the γ phases for the first time, and it showed definite differences in the spectra of the phases obtained by the two methods.