Clois E. Powell

Fundamentals of Polymer–Clay Nanocomposites: Variables associated with polymer–clay processing in relation to reinforcement theory

The polymer as a significant independent variable in the mechanical performance of polymer–clay nanocomposites Chavarria and Paul [1] performed a complete evaluation of a comparison of the significant variables that relate to the successful exfoliation of organomontmorillonite in nylon 6 with the utility of these variables in the preparation of organomontmorillonite–nylon 6,6 polymer nanocomposites. The equipment and protocol for these evaluations were identical to those found in reference [1] with nylon 11 and 12. The same nylon 6 was evaluated (B135WP). The molecular weight of the nylon 6 was measured to be M n = 29 300 by intrinsic viscosity. This is slightly different from the reported viscosity, M n = 31 100, in reference [1]. The same organomontmorillonite (montmorillonite exchanged with octadecytrimethyl quaternary ammonium ion at 95 meq/100 g of montmorillonite) was employed in both studies. The nylon 6,6 was produced by DuPont, Zytel 42A. The molecular weight was not reported. The production of nylon 6,6 is significantly different from the ring opening polymerization of e -caprolactam to produce nylon 6. Hexanedioic acid (adipic acid) is neutralized with hexamethylenediamine in a 50% aqueous solution. The pH is carefully monitored in order to ensure the proper stoichiometry of dicarboxylic acid and diamine.