Superfine structure, physical properties, and dyeability of alkaline hydrolyzed poly(ethylene terephthalate)/silica nanocomposite fibers prepared by in situ polymerization

In this study, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/SiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ polymerization and melt-spun to fibers. The superfine structure, physical properties, and dyeability of alkaline hydrolyzed PET/SiO2 nanocomposite fibers were studied. According to the TEM, SiO2 nanoparticles were well dispersed in the PET matrix at a size level of 10-20 nm. PET/SiO2 nanocomposite fibers were treated with aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide at 100 degrees C for different time. The differences in the alkaline hydrolysis mechanism between pure PET and PET/SiO2 nanocomposite fibers were preliminarily investigated, which were evaluated in terms of the weight loss, tensile strength, specific surface area, as well as disperse dye uptake. PET/SiO2 nanocomposite fibers showed a greater degree of weight loss as compared with that of pure PET fibers. More and. tougher superfine structures, such as cracks, craters, and cavities, were introduced, which would facilitate the certain application like deep dyeing. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.