Effects of annealing on the migration behavior of PA6/clay nanocomposites

Migration of clay to the surface of nylon 6-organically modified clay is investigated. The effect of annealing time and temperature on the migration of the clay is reported. Attenuated total reflectance FT-IR spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution electronic microscopy are used in this study. The results obtained indicate that migration occurs predominantly in the samples with exfoliated structure. Migration increases in the temperature range of 250-275 degrees C. A further increase in temperature decreases the extent of migration. Migration increases with time at 250 degrees C. Annealing in the presence of oxygen decreases migration. It is suggested that the extent of migration depends on the concentration of the surfactant and the polymer in the exfoliated particles.