Highly dispersed polyamide-11/halloysite nanocomposites: Thermal, rheological, optical, dielectric, and mechanical properties

Bio-based polyamide 11 and natural halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were used for the preparation of PA-11/HNT nanocomposites with varying nanotubes concentrations by melt extrusion using a masterbatch dilution process. The prepared nanocomposites were analyzed for microstructural changes, transparency, thermal stability, rheological behavior, dielectric, and mechanical properties. The HNT nanotubes are well dispersed in PA-11 matrix in the studied composition range as shown by microscopy and spectrophotometry. Interestingly, good halloysite dispersion in PA-11 matrix increases the tensile strength and Young modulus of PA-11 without sacrificing the ductility. Highly dispersed nanotubes also bring favorable changes in the thermal stability, dielectric, and rheological characteristics of PA-11. Additionally, glass transition temperature, crystallization temperature, and degree of crystallinity of the nanocomposites tend to increase with increase in nanotubes loading. Thus, PA-11 can become a tailor-made material with multifunctional characteristics, thanks to the addition of HNTs. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.