Unusual toughening effect of graphene oxide on the graphene oxide/nylon 11 composites prepared by in situ melt polycondensation

Graphene oxide/nylon 11 composites were prepared by in situ melt polycondensation. These composites displayed better mechanical properties including stiffness and toughness than the pure nylon 11 matrix. The enhanced toughness was ascribed to the change of crystal form of nylon 11, namely the triclinic alpha crystal form to the pseudo-hexagonal delta' crystal form transition trend with the incorporation of GO. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images showed that GO bundles and stacks with an average thickness of 20 nm are homogeneously dispersed over the nylon 11 matrix with almost no large agglomerates. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.