Influence of Nanomaterial Compatibilization Strategies on Polyamide Nanocomposites Properties and Nanomaterial Release during the Use Phase

详细信息    查看全文

• 作者：Elisabet Fernández-Rosas ; Gemma Vilar ; Gemma Janer ; David González-Gálvez ; Victor Puntes ; Vincent Jamier ; Laurent Aubouy ; Socorro Vázquez-Campos
• 刊名：Environmental Science & Technology
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：March 1, 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：50
• 期：5
• 页码：2584-2594
• 全文大小：561K
• ISSN：1520-5851

文摘

The incorporation of small amounts of nanofillers in polymeric matrices has enabled new applications in several industrial sectors. The nanofiller dispersion can be improved by modifying the nanomaterial (NM) surface or predispersing the NMs to enhance compatibility. This study evaluates the effect of these compatibilization strategies on migration/release of the nanofiller and transformation of polyamide-6 (PA6), a thermoplastic polymer widely used in industry during simulated outdoors use. Two nanocomposites (NCs) containing SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) with different surface properties and two multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) NCs obtained by different addition methods were produced and characterized, before and after accelerated wet aging conditions. Octyl-modified SiO₂ NPs, though initially more aggregated than uncoated SiO₂ NPs, reduced PA6 hydrolysis and, consequently, NM release. Although no clear differences in dispersion were observed between the two types of MWCNT NCs (masterbatch vs direct addition) after manufacture, the use of the MWCNT masterbatch reduced PA6 degradation during aging, preventing MWCNT accumulation on the surface and further release or potential exposure by direct contact. The amounts of NM released were lower for MWCNTs (36 and 108 mg/m²) than for SiO₂ NPs (167 and 730 mg/m²), being lower in those samples where the NC was designed to improve the nanofiller–matrix interaction. Hence, this study shows that optimal compatibilization between NM and matrix can improve NC performance, reducing polymer degradation and exposure and/or release of the nanofiller.