Solution and Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy of Nylon 6-Montmorillonite Clay Nanocomposites

Nylon 6/montmorillonite clay nanocomposites were characterized by solution and solid state NMR spectroscopy. Solution 13C NMR spectroscopy indicates nylon 6 molecular weight is controlled by the concentration of intercalate (ammonium salt of 12-aminolauric acid) and all nylon 6 amine end-groups are protonated and presumably bound to the surface of the clay sheets. It is believed that this interaction between the clay sheets and the polymer chains is what promotes γ crystallite formation over α crystallite. Solid state 15N CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy indicates that the nanocomposite thermal history dictates the ratio and type of crystallites formed. Solid state 2H NMR spectral and T1 results are preliminary but indicate the nanocomposite containing component is unlike the amorphous and crystalline domains of nylon 6