Morphology and Properties of Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)/Polyamide 11 Hybrid Nanocomposites: Effect of Silica Surface Modification

Abstract

Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)/polyamide 11 (PPO/PA11 80/20) blend filled with neat (SiO2) or modified silica having amine functional groups (A-SiO2) was melt mixing in a twin-screw extruder. The silica was prepared by the sol–gel process. SEM shows that, with increasing A-SiO2 content from 1 to 5 wt.%, the morphology of PPO/PA11blend changed from droplet matrix to co-continuous with phase inversion. The phase inversion was also observed for 5 wt.% of neat silica, but the droplet-matrix structure was retained. The overall rheological and mechanical properties improvement of the A-SiO2-filled composites in comparison with the unfilled blend and neat silica counterpart was drastic, especially in terms of viscosity and stiffness. A-SiO2 improved PPO and PA11 miscibility and reduced the crystallinity of PA11, without affecting the Tc, owing to the compatibilization effect. On the other hand, neat silica slightly increased the crystallinity of PA11 and decreased the crystallization temperature of PA11 and the glass transition temperature of PPO as a result of its plasticization.

Preparation and Properties of PA10T/PPO Blends Compatibilized with SEBS-g-MAH

“…Consequently, the development of PA/PPO blends has been the subject of extensive investigation [ 18 ]. To date, various blends of aliphatic PA and PPO have been developed by using effective compatibilizers [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Unfortunately, aliphatic PA containing a high proportion of polar amide groups exhibits elevated D k and D f , which is an inherent drawback in the development of communication materials.…”

Green synthesis of reactive copolymers in molten ε‐caprolactam solvent and their compatibilizing effects in PA10T/PPO blends

“…To date, various styrenic copolymers have been synthesized with reactive monomers and used as effective compatibilizers for blends of aliphatic polyamides (PA6, PA66, PA11, and PA46) and PPO. 10,[36][37][38] However, the compatibilizing efficiency of styrenic copolymer with different reactive groups has been little studied, probably because the conventional solution synthesis of styrenic copolymers is environmentallyunfriendly and time-consuming. In addition, polyphthalamide (PPA), especially plant-derived poly(decamethylene terephthalamide) (PA10T), has better thermal-resistance properties and could be a candidate for the development of high-performance PA/PPO blends.…”

“…It is worth noting that polystyrene is fully compatible with PPO and PA has active end groups (COOH and NH 2 ) that can react with anhydride, epoxy, and isocyanate groups. To date, various styrenic copolymers have been synthesized with reactive monomers and used as effective compatibilizers for blends of aliphatic polyamides (PA6, PA66, PA11, and PA46) and PPO 10,36–38 . However, the compatibilizing efficiency of styrenic copolymer with different reactive groups has been little studied, probably because the conventional solution synthesis of styrenic copolymers is environmentally‐unfriendly and time‐consuming.…”

Polymer Rheology and Processing of Nano- and Micro-Composites

“…For example, the incorporation of an aminosilane into organic polymers using sol–gel chemistry has been evaluated through thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties [ 23 ]. Modified silica nanoparticles are also added to polyamides to modulate the crystallinity of the polymer, with an improvement in its rheological and mechanical properties [ 24 ].…”