Nanoparticle Dispersion and Orientation within Nylon6 Polymer Matrix

In this research, Organically Modified Montmorillonite (OMMT) and Multiwall Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) were dispersed and oriented within Nylon6 utilizing a new processing technique to create thin film nano-materials. Nylon6 nanocomposites containing 1wt% to 10wt% of different fillers (OMMT or -MWCNT) were pre-processed by melt-compounded in a twin screw extruder. The obtained randomly oriented polymer nanocomposites from the twin screw extruder were post-processed through a shearing cylinder die mounted on HAAKE Polylab single screw extruder to form thin film nanocomposite sheets with good dispersion and orientation. Mechanical properties of the Nylon6 nanocomposites were studied through tensile and flexural tests. The rheological behavior of the nanocomposites was determined by capillary and rotational rheological measurements. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used characterize the dispersion, exfoliation and orientation of the OMMT or MWCNT in the Nylon6 matrix. The thermal properties of Nylon6 nanocomposites were characterized by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The results obtained from XRD and TEM analyses of the OMMT and MWCNT fillers in Nylon6 matrix will be presented. In addition, the mechanical properties and thermal properties of the both Nylon6 nanocomposites compared with other experimental data will be discussed in details. A COMSOL Multiphysics model of this new technique to form thin films of dispersed and oriented nano-materials will be presented.