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  • Influence of non-covalent modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the crystallization behaviour of binary blends of polypropylene and polyamide 6.

Influence of non-covalent modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the crystallization behaviour of binary blends of polypropylene and polyamide 6.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP (2015-01-13)
Nabaneeta Mukhopadhyay, Ajay S Panwar, Gulshan Kumar, I Samajdar, Arup R Bhattacharyya
ABSTRACT

Blends of polypropylene (PP) and polyamide 6 (PA6) with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared using different processing strategies in a twin-screw micro-compounder. The effect of MWNTs on the crystallization behaviour of the PP phase and the PA6 phase of the blend has been investigated through non-isothermal crystallization studies by differential scanning calorimetric analysis. Furthermore, the effect of the addition of the compatibilizer (PP-g-MA) and the modification of MWNTs (m-MWNTs) with a non-covalent organic modifier (Li-salt of 6 amino hexanoic acid, Li-AHA) has also been studied in context to the crystallization behaviour of the PP and PA6 phase in the blend. The crystallization studies have indicated a significant increase in bulk crystallization temperature of the PP phase in the blend in the presence of MWNTs. Moreover, the formation of 'trans-lamellar crystalline' structure consisting of PA6 'trans-crystalline lamellae' on MWNTs surface was facilitated in the case of blends prepared via 'protocol 2' as compared to the corresponding blends prepared via 'protocol 1'. Wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis has showed the existence of a β-polymorph of the PP phase due to incorporation of the PA6 phase in the blend. Addition of MWNTs in the blends has facilitated further β-crystalline structure formation of the PP phase. In the presence of m-MWNTs, a higher β-fraction was observed in the PP phase as compared to the blend with pristine MWNTs. Addition of PP-g-MA has suppressed the β-phase formation in the PP phase in the blend. X-ray bulk texture analysis revealed that incorporation of PA6 as well as pristine/modified MWNTs has influenced the extent of orientation of the PP chains towards specific crystalline planes in various blend compositions of PP and PA6.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Pyrvinium pamoate salt hydrate, ≥98% (HPLC)
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetohydroxamic acid, 98%
Sigma-Aldrich
DL-Norleucine
Aminocaproic acid, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
USP
Aminocaproic acid, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
Supelco
Aminocaproic acid, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
USP
Acetohydroxamic acid, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard