Exploring the phenomena of dispersion and electrical properties of natural montmorillonite particles in polyamide 6 as a nanocomposite material

Purpose This paper aims to control the clay’s dispersion within the PA6 matrix. Cloisite Na+, a naturally occurring sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT), and Cloisite 30B and 93A, two organophilic MMT (OMMT), were used for this purpose. Design/methodology/approach By using a twin-screw extruder for melt mixing, Polyamide 6 (PA6)/NaMMT nanocomposites with 1, 3, 5 and 10 Wt.% Cloisite Na+ and PA with 5 and 10 Wt.% Cloisite 30B and 93A were created. PA6/OMMT nanocomposite to investigate how organoclay disperses within the PA6. Findings The link among PA6 and the silicate layer was evaluated via (FTIR), confirming presence of a compact contact between the nanosilicate layer and PA6 segments. Thermal behavior of obtained nanocomposites was evaluated through a thermogravimetric analyzer. The data confirmed that the thermal behavior of PA6 was moderately improved once addition 5 Wt.% filler, in the order: Cloisite Na+>Cloisit 93A>Cloisit 30B.Electrical properties have been studied through measuring dielectric constant, dielectric loss and conductivity measurment that procced at frequencies from 10–1 to 107 Hz and temperatures from 40°C to 120°C, dielectric constant (έ) and dielectric loss (έ) of the nanocomposite were sharply increased with increasing the two parameters temperature and frequency. Originality/value The hybrid nanomaterials of PA6/ Cloisite Na+, Cloisite 93A or Cloisite 30B can be credited as electronic nanodevices and microwave semiconductors materials with a small amount of nanoclay filler as illustrated in the conclusion.