Nylon 6 reinforced with acrylic polymer nanoparticles. Thermal properties and nano structure
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Nylon 6 reinforced with acrylic polymer nanoparticles. Thermal properties and nano structure Estefania Huitron-Rattinger1,2, Bonifacio Alvarado-Tenorio1,2, Angel Romo-Uribe2, * 1
Departamento de Ingeniería Química Metalúrgica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 México D.F., MEXICO. 2 Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Mor. 62210, MEXICO. * To whom all correspondence should be addressed: [email protected] ABSTRACT The correlation of thermal properties and nanostructure of nylon 6 (denoted PA6) reinforced with polymer nanoparticles (denoted PNP, size~8 nm) has been investigated. PNPs are highly crosslinked acrylic-based polymers synthesized by the Rohm and Haas Co. PNPs and those grafted with maleic anhydride (denoted PNP-g-MA) were each one dispersed into a commercial PA 6 matrix by melt extrusion, at a concentration of 3 wt%. Thermal analysis showed that the PNPs increased the thermal stability of PA6 and reduced the melting and crystallization temperatures as well as the enthalpy. Small-angle light scattering showed that the PNPs crystallize into a spherulitic morphology, typical of PA6. Isothermal crystallization studies showed that the PNPs act as nucleating agents, accelerating the rate of crystallization. Wideangle X-ray scattering showed that the composites crystallize in the α-form, and the PNPs reduced the degree of crystallinity, in agreement with thermal analysis results. The smaller degree of crystallinity was also reflected in the long range spacing, it was also reduced by the presence of the PNPs as measured directly by small-angle X-ray scattering. INTRODUCTION Polymer reinforcement has become a challenging growing field in polymer science. The enhancement of specific properties regarding polymer performance such as toughness, thermal resistance, stiffness, solvent resistance, barrier properties, flame retardation or conductivity can be achieved by carefully choosing the type of filler for the intended reinforcement. The resulting materials are known as polymer composites. However, despite the fact that such changes can be tunable, sometimes unpredictable or undesirable outcomes may arise such as the loss in the elastic modulus. Particularly important are those composites in which at least one component´s characteristic length scale is in the nanometer range, therefore their name polymer nanocomposites. Polymer Nanocomposites typically contain 1-5 vol% of nanoparticles and are formed of a polymeric matrix and a nanoscale reinforcement. Common nanoreinforcements are nanoclays, nanofibers, nanoparticles and polymer nanoparticles [1-4]. The properties displayed by these polymer nanocomposites arise from particle size and shape, as well as particle proximity and distribution throughout the polymer matrix. Polymer nanocomposite structure and properties are affected by the synthetic method, the identity of the polymer matrix, the type of nanoparticle used and any kind of surface treatment performed for compatibilization b
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