Structure and properties of PA6-66/γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-modified clay nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization

In this study, PA6-66/γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-modified clay nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization. It was found that the γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane was chemically grafted onto clay successfully, and the covalent bond was formed between the clay and polymer chains. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that intercalated and exfoliated nanocomposites were obtained. The PA6-66 nanocomposites exhibited improved mechanical performance compared to that of neat PA6-66. Most importantly, the PA6-66 nanocomposites showed significantly improved toughness. In comparison with neat PA6-66, the rupture stress and elongation at the break of the nanocomposite with only 0.5 wt% clay increased 91.9% and 91.8%, respectively. The excellent toughness of PA6-66 nanocomposites should be mainly ascribed to the combined effects of strong polymer-clay interaction, the intercalated-exfoliated structures of clay, refined crystalline, formation of γ-form crystals, and decreased crystallinity of PA6-66.