Three-dimensional observation of structure and morphology in nylon-6/clay nanocomposite

We previously synthesized new nanocomposites that have clays uniformly dispersed in a nylon-6 matrix. Observation under the transmission electron microscope showed these clays to be a 1-nm-thick, 100-nm-wide layered filler. Recently, we have succeeded in making a three-dimensional observation of the cross section of the nanocomposites subjected to oxygen plasma treatment, using a scanning electron microscope. The observation revealed a novel structure, in which the clay layers stood perpendicularly to the nylon surface, resemblin a vertical cliff. We named these layers a nano wall.