Polyamide 6/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposites with Modified Morphology and Thermal Properties

Abstract

Pure polyamide 6 (PA6) and polyamide 6/carbon nanotube (PA6/CNT) composite samples with 0.5 weight percent loading of pristine or functionalized CNTs were made using a solution mixing technique. Modification of nanotube surface as a result of chemical functionalization was confirmed through the presence of lattice defects as examined under high-resolution transmission electron microscope and absorption bands characteristic of carboxylic, sulfonic and amine chemical groups. Microstructural examination of the cryogenically fractured surfaces revealed qualitative information regarding CNT dispersion within PA6 matrix and interfacial strength. X-ray diffraction studies indicated formation of thermodynamically more stable α-phase crystals. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that CNT incorporation delayed onset of thermal degradation by as much as 70 °C in case of amine-functionalized CNTs, thus increasing thermal stability of the composites. Furthermore, addition of amine-functionalized CNTs caused an increase in crystallization and melting temperatures from the respective values of 177 and 213 °C (for neat PA6) to 211 and 230 °C (for composite), respectively.

Structure and properties of buckypapers based on poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid)/ polyamide 6,6 and carbon nanotube intercalated montmorillonite

“…31 However, the thermal stability was comparable to the literature polyamide-CNT nanocomposites. According to Mahmood et al, 32 polyamide-6 (PA6) and amine-functionalized CNT depicted thermal degradation behavior in the range of 430-630 C. Whereas neat PA6 showed degradation at $450 C. Similarly, the effects of MWCNT on the thermal properties of a polyamide derived from glutaric acid and aromatic diamine were investigated. 33 The addition of 3 wt% CNT increased the T 0 to 315 C and T 10 to 401 C compared with the neat polyamide (T 0 to 244 C).…”

Experimental and modeling investigation of surface roughness in end-milling of polyamide 6/multi-walled carbon nano-tube composite

“…Proper dispersion of MWCNTs, as nucleation sites of α form of crystals [13], leads to smaller size of α form spherulites. Also, severe stirring during FSP leads to the breakdown of α form spherulites into smaller sizes.…”

Melt‐mixed carbon nanotubes/polymer nanocomposites

“…This review primarily focuses on the melt‐mixed composites of thermoplastic polymers, like polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), nylon‐6 (PA6), and CNTs. This article has been articulated in such a way that it would include several aspects of polymer/CNTs composites that would give a general idea about this field to the readers.…”