Alumina nanoparticles were dispersed in poly(amide 12-b-tetramethylene oxide) copolymer through extrusion. The alumina particles were functionalized with 3-(2 trimethoxysilylethyl) cyclohexene oxide. The following PEBAX TM / Al 2 O 3 proportions were prepared: 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0% w/w. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was evaluated by thermograviemtric analysis under N 2 and was comparable to the neat PEBAX TM polymer. The thermo-oxidative degradation of the polymeric matrix by oxygen was strongly hindered by the functionalized alumina. The rule of mixture would predict that the thermal degradation should be strongly dominated by PEBAX TM matrix. Therefore, the physical mixture of PEBAX TM and silanized alumina should be almost as stable as pure PEBAX TM . However, the experimental results suggest that the nanocomposites are more stable than the mixture of their components. This stabilization effect is evident in the temperature range between 300˚C and 400˚C, in which the degradation of the PA12 block takes place.
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