Polyamide 6/modified Carbon Black Nanocomposites Prepared via In Situ Polymerization

Abstract

Polyamide 6/modified carbon black (PA6/MCB) composites were prepared via in-situ ring opening polymerization of caprolactam in the presence of dispersed carboxyl group modified carbon black (MCB). The dispersion of MCB in the PA6 matrix, nonisothermal crystallization and melting behaviors, and volume resistivity of the composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a resistivity meter, respectively. The results indicated that MCB dispersed well in the PA6 matrix. When the MCB content was 5 wt%, the MCB particles were of a nanoscale. The conductivity percolation threshold of the PA6/MCB composites was 8 wt% due to the good dispersion of MCB in the PA6 matrix. The addition of MCB elevated the cold crystallization temperature of PA6, reflecting the effectiveness of MCB as nucleating agents. However, the MCB decreased the crystallization enthalpy of PA6 during both heating and cooling processes.