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Electron beam modified nylon 6-clay nanocomposites: morphology and water absorption behavior

Abstract A series of nylon 6-clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing, followed by electron beam (EB) crosslinking at various doses. Effects of crosslinking on clay dispersion, gel content, crystallinity and water absorption properties (hygrothermal) were studied. No change of the dispersion pattern of clay in nanocomposites was observed after crosslinking [from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)]. Gel content, i.e., degree of crosslinking is seen to keep on increasing with irradiation dose, although clays hinder crosslinking of polymers to some extent. Crystallinity of polymers is reduced after incorporation of clay as well as crosslinks. However, water absorption rate and maximum water content of nanocomposites are found to increase and saturation time to decrease with clay content. However, these changes become opposite after crosslinking of polymers. The water absorption for all samples is noticed to increase with temperature. Thus, EB crosslinking, without affecting the nanocomposite morphology, i.e., properties derived from nano interface generation, decreases the water absorption properties of nanocomposites.