Influence of Processing Type in the Morphology of Membranes Obtained from PA6/MMT Nanocomposites

The nanocomposites have an extensive use in the current process of membrane preparation, taking into account their unique features as membranes. Thus, the study of nanocomposite processing to obtain membranes is highly important. In this work, Brazilian clay was used (Brasgel PA) for the preparation of polyamide/clay nanocomposite. The nanocomposites were produced in a high rotation homogenizer and in a twin screw extruder. From the nanocomposites and pure polymers processed in the two equipments, membranes were prepared by the immersion-precipitation method, using formic acid as solvent. By X-ray diffraction (XRD), the formation of exfoliated and/or partially exfoliated structures with changes in the crystalline phases of the polyamide was observed. From scanning electron microscopy images, it was observed that the processing clearly influenced the membrane morphology

Obtenção de membranas microporosas a partir de nanocompósitos de polimida 6/argila nacional. Parte 2: avaliação microestrutural e de permeabilidade das membranas obtidas

Membranas de híbridos orgânico/inorgânico de poliamida 6 e argilomineral constituído de silicatos em camadas foram estudadas em comparação com o polímero puro. Uma argila sódica, como recebida da indústria, e outra organofilizada com os sais quaternários de amônio Dodigen e Cetremide foram utilizadas. Os sais tornam hidrofóbica a superfície da argila e favorecem sua incorporação na matriz polimérica no estado fundido. A partir dos nanocompósitos obtidos foram preparadas membranas por meio da técnica de imersão-precipitação, tendo como solvente o ácido fórmico e como método de produção a precipitação em um banho de água (não-solvente). O teor do ácido nas soluções poliméricas, dos híbridos e da poliamida 6 pura, foi variado para avaliar sua influência na morfologia e na permeabilidade das membranas produzidas. As membranas apresentaram morfologia assimétrica, constituída de uma pele filtrante e um suporte poroso. A presença da argila tratada com os diferentes sais alterou a formação dos poros, tanto na superfície como na seção transversal. As partículas de argila provavelmente atuaram como barreira ao fluxo. Observou-se ainda que o teor de ácido utilizado influenciou de forma significativa a estrutura assimétrica da membrana; quanto maior o teor de ácido maior a espessura da pele filtrante. O teor de ácido também levou à alteração do tamanho e da distribuição dos poros. As medidas de fluxo realizadas com os dois teores de ácido diferentes mostraram uma resposta em função da morfologia diferenciada obtida

Evaluation of impact strength of polyamide 6/bentonite clay nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of polymer/clay have had much attention in recent years, particularly those developed with layered silicates due to the need of engineering materials more efficient than pure polymers for certain applications. The level of exfoliation of layered silicates in crystalline structure of polymer matrices has been studied and has been observed that it affects the crystalline behavior and the physical and mechanical properties. In this study, nanocomposites of polyamide 6 were obtained by the melt intercalation method, using a Brazilian bentonite modified with a quaternary ammonium salt. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) results showed the incorporation of salt among the layers of clay, making it organophilic and that the nanocomposites presented exfoliated and/or partially exfoliated structures and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). By thermogravimetry (TG), the results indicated that the presence of clay increased the thermal stability of polyamide 6. The impact properties of the nanocomposites showed inferior values in relation to the pure polyamide, in other words, decrease the toughness

Structure and mechanical properties of polyamide 6/Brazilian clay nanocomposites

Recent interest in polymer/organoclays nanocomposites systems is motivated by the possibility of achieving enhanced properties and added functionality at lower clay loading as compared to conventional micron size fillers. By adding montmorillonite clay to polyamide 6 increases the Young modulus, yield strength and also improves barrier properties. In this work, nanocomposites of polyamide 6 with montmorillonite clay were obtained. The clay was chemically modified with three different quaternary ammonium salts such as: Dodigen, Genamin and Cetremide. In this case, a dispersion of Na-MMT was stirred and a salt equivalent to 1:1 of cation exchange capacity (CEC) of Na-MMT was added to the dispersion. The montmorillonite clay (untreated and treated by ammonium salts) and nanocomposites were characterized by X ray diffractions. Also the nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and mechanical properties. The results indicated that all the quaternary ammonium salts were intercalated between the layers of clay, leading to an expansion of the interlayer spacing. The obtained nanocomposites showed better mechanical properties when compared to polyamide 6. The clay acted as reinforcing filler, increasing the rigidity of nanocomposites and decreasing its ductility

Polyamide 6 Nanocomposites with Inorganic Particles Modified with Three Quaternary Ammonium Salts

The purpose of this study was to obtain polyamide 6 nanocomposites with national organically modified clay with three quaternary ammonium salts. The obtained results confirm the intercalation of molecules of salt in the clay layers, and a good interaction with the polymer, showing the formation of intercalated and/or partially exfoliated structures. The nanocomposites showed similar thermal stability compared to pure polymer, and the mechanical properties presented interesting and promising results