Effect of dendrimer-like PAMAM grafted attapulgite on the microstructure and morphology of Nylon-6

The effect of dendrimer-like polyamidoamine grafted attapulgite (ATP-PAMAM) on the microstructure and morphology of Nylon-6 (PA6) was investigated. The ATP-PAMAM nanoparticles were prepared by treating attapulgite (ATP) with heat and acid followed by grafting with polyamidoamine (PAMAM) molecules, which was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dispersion state in formic acid. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis result indicated that the grafting modification was occurred on the surface of fibrous crystals and did not shift the crystal structure of ATP. PA6/ATP-PAMAM (G 2.0 ) nanocomposites with different modified ATP content were prepared by melt compounding in a twin screw extruder. XRD measurements suggested that the intensity of diffraction peak of α crystalline form of PA6 decreased gradually as the inclusion of ATP-PAMAM(G 2.0 ) into the PA6 matrix, while that of γ crystalline form increased gradually. The results of molau experiment and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed not only a uniform dispersion of ATP-PAMAM(G 2.0 ) in the PA6 matrix but also a strong interfacial adhesion between them. Mechanical investigation (by tensile test) showed an obvious improvement in the presence of surface modified ATP. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:627–635, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers