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Preparation and characterization of star-shaped nylon 6 with high flowability

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Abstract

Three kinds of star-shaped nylon 6 samples with different branched-chain length were prepared by the hydrolytic polymerization of ε-caprolactam using trimesinic acid as trifunctional reactant. The structure of prepared star-shaped nylons was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and 1H-NMR. Compared with linear-chain nylon 6, star-shaped nylons with the equivalent molecular weight present higher melt flow indices and lower relative viscosities due to decreased molecular dimensions and reduced hydrogen bond interactions between neighboring molecules. The molecular weights of the products were determined by end-group titration and 1H-NMR, and the molecular weight distributions (MWDs) were evaluated by gel permeation chromatography. The results show that the molecular weight decreased and the MWD narrowed as the concentration of trimesinic acid increased. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns of star-shaped and linear-chain nylons show that increasing the concentration of trimesinic acid leads to good symmetry and high crystallizability, but this also degrades crystal perfection as observed using a polarized optical microscope. The viscosity of nylon 6 can be significantly reduced while maintaining its mechanical performance through the use of star-branching and an appropriate concentration of trimesinic acid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, People’s Republic of China

    Peng Fu, Maoli Wang, Minying Liu, Qiongqiong Jing, Yong Cai, Yudong Wang & Qingxiang Zhao

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  1. Peng Fu
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  2. Maoli Wang
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  3. Minying Liu
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  4. Qiongqiong Jing
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  5. Yong Cai
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  6. Yudong Wang
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  7. Qingxiang Zhao
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Correspondence to Qingxiang Zhao.

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Fu, P., Wang, M., Liu, M. et al. Preparation and characterization of star-shaped nylon 6 with high flowability. J Polym Res 18, 651–657 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-010-9460-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-010-9460-y

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