(706b) Dispersion and Orientation of Nanoparticles within Nylon6 Polymer Matrix by Novel Fabrication Method

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 0.1wt% to 10wt% of different fillers (OMMT or -MWCNT) were directly prepared in high shear thin film device (HSTFD) which is mounted to HAAKE Polylab single screw. The HSTFD produced thin film nanocomposite sheets with uniform dispersion and good 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 detail. A COMSOL Multiphysics model of this new technique to form thin films of dispersed and oriented nano-materials will be presented.