Nylon 6/clay nanocomposites prepared with Algerian modified clay (12-maghnite)

Nylon 6/clay nanocomposites [1, 3, 5, and 10 % (w/w) 12-maghnite based on the epsilon-caprolactam content] were synthesized by in situ polymerization. 12-maghnite is a montmorillonite silicate sheet clay was prepared through a straightforward exchange process, using a green natural clay from Maghnia (west of Algeria). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the formation of nylon 6. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the modified montmorillonite layers were uniformly dispersed and exfoliated in the nylon 6 matrix for low levels of clay, while intercalated structures and immiscible regions were detected for high levels. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal properties of nylon 6/clay nanocomposites were enhanced with increasing 12-maghnite levels (> 500 A degrees C). Additionally, the nanocomposites showed a remarkable improvement in their mechanical properties compared to pure polymer.