Low-field NMR study of nylon 6/silica composites

Hybrid Nylon 6/silica composites have been studied. The effect of silica ratio on miscibility was evaluated by nuclear relaxation measurements using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The silica ratio was found to influence its distribution in the polymer matrix. To better investigate the miscibility and interaction between both blend components we have used the proton spin-lattice (T-1) and spin-spin (T-2) relaxation times. The NMR results showed that, with up to 20% of silica, there is compatibility due to a weak intermolecular interaction. The relaxation data indicated that the direct measurements of proton T-1, and T-2, using low-field NMR can be a powerful resource to evaluate polymer Ny6/Si composite systems. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.