SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NYLON 6,10 NANOCOMPOSITES CONTAINING FUNCTIONALIZED SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES

摘要

We have prepared nylon 6,10 nanocomposites with functionalized single wall nanotubes (fSWNT) using an interfacial polycondensation method previously developed in our lab. The specific functional groups (CH{sub}2)nCOCl [n = 4,9] on the sidewall of the nanotubes were designed to permit covalent bonding to the nylon matrix while synthesizing the nylon 6,10 nanocomposite. Using a binary mixture of dichlorobenzene/water solvent system, we have been able to prepare nylon 6,10 and nylon 6,10/fSWNT nanocomposites with a yield of 80%. The composites were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, optical and scanning electron microscopies, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated as a function of type and loading of the functionalized nanotubes.