Electrospun polyamide/graphene oxide nanofibers as fillers for polyethylene: Preparation and characterization

The morphology, crystallinity, and mechanical properties of polyethylene (PE) composites containing 0, 3.5, 7, 10.5, and 14 wt% polyamide 6 (PA6) and graphene oxide (GO)/PA6 electrospun mats were investigated. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis results showed the formation of gamma crystals in PA6 nanofibers where it increased with the addition of GO nanoplates. The crystallinity of PA6 mats was smaller than that of PA6 granule, but increased with the addition of GO. GO nanoplates at 2.5 wt% introduced a second higher melting peak 237 degrees C for PA6 nanofiber. The DSC results showed that the crystallinity behavior of PE was affected by the presence of the nanofibers and GO nanoplates due to their nucleation effect. The mats enhanced the elastic modulus and yield strength of PE by 121 and 33%, respectively. Although ductility was dropped, the yield phenomenon of PE was preserved with the addition of the nanofibers. The nanofiber bridging mechanism was observed in the composites after failure in tensile test. The PE/PA6 nanocomposites can be used in PE applications with improved mechanical/barrier/conductivity properties such as tanks, containers, pipes, ropes, packaging, greenhouse films, and so on specially for those, which color change, or antistatic properties are important.