Synergistic Dispersion and Interfacial Reinforcement of <scp>MWCNTs</scp> in <scp>PA6</scp> Nanocomposites Enabled by <scp>PVP</scp> : Enhancing Mechanical Performance

ABSTRACT Achieving uniform dispersion and strong interfacial interaction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in polymer matrices remains a key challenge in the development of high‐performance nanocomposites. Herein, PA6 nanocomposites were prepared via in situ ring‐opening polymerization using multi‐walled CNTs (MWCNTs) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a dispersant. By adjusting MWCNT content (0.1–0.5 wt.%) and PVP/CNT ratio, we elucidated the role of PVP in improving dispersion and interfacial compatibility. PVP enabled non‐covalent interactions (π‐π stacking and hydrogen bonding), leading to reduced CNT agglomeration and enhanced load transfer. Notably, the nanocomposite containing 0.3 wt.% MWCNTs and 0.3 wt.% PVP demonstrated the most balanced mechanical enhancement, achieving increases of 21.9% in tensile strength, 17.2% in tensile modulus, 15.8% in flexural strength, and 32.2% in impact strength compared to PA6. These improvements highlight the synergistic role of PVP in promoting nanotube dispersion and interfacial load transfer. Moreover, rheological analysis revealed a viscosity‐enhancing effect induced by the semi‐interconnected CNT‐PVP structure, which hindered molecular mobility and contributed to stress transfer across the interface. This work elucidates the molecular‐level mechanism of PVP‐assisted CNT dispersion in PA6 nanocomposites and highlights a scalable strategy for tailoring interfacial structures in CNT‐reinforced thermoplastics, offering valuable insights into the rational design of high‐performance nanocomposite systems.

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Journal
Polymer Engineering and Science
Published
2025-10-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.70194
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Polymer Nanocomposite Synthesis and Irradiation
Type
article
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0.61
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Synergistic Dispersion and Interfacial Reinforcement of MWCNTs in PA6 Nanocomposites Enabled by PVP : Enhancing Mechanical Performance

Jun Yang, Qi Qu, Jin Wang, Yan He et al.
1 citations
Polymer Engineering and Science
Polymer Nanocomposite Synthesis and Irradiation
0.61
article

Synergistic Dispersion and Interfacial Reinforcement of MWCNTs in PA6 Nanocomposites Enabled by PVP : Enhancing Mechanical Performance

Jun Yang, Qi Qu, Jin Wang, Yan He, Qingbin Tian, Huanhuan Wang, Yanping Liu, Ji-Ming Gao
article en
1 citations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Achieving uniform dispersion and strong interfacial interaction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in polymer matrices remains a key challenge in the development of high‐performance nanocomposites. Herein, PA6 nanocomposites were prepared via in situ ring‐opening polymerization using multi‐walled CNTs (MWCNTs) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a dispersant. By adjusting MWCNT content (0.1–0.5 wt.%) and PVP/CNT ratio, we elucidated the role of PVP in improving dispersion and interfacial compatibility. PVP enabled non‐covalent interactions (π‐π stacking and hydrogen bonding), leading to reduced CNT agglomeration and enhanced load transfer. Notably, the nanocomposite containing 0.3 wt.% MWCNTs and 0.3 wt.% PVP demonstrated the most balanced mechanical enhancement, achieving increases of 21.9% in tensile strength, 17.2% in tensile modulus, 15.8% in flexural strength, and 32.2% in impact strength compared to PA6. These improvements highlight the synergistic role of PVP in promoting nanotube dispersion and interfacial load transfer. Moreover, rheological analysis revealed a viscosity‐enhancing effect induced by the semi‐interconnected CNT‐PVP structure, which hindered molecular mobility and contributed to stress transfer across the interface. This work elucidates the molecular‐level mechanism of PVP‐assisted CNT dispersion in PA6 nanocomposites and highlights a scalable strategy for tailoring interfacial structures in CNT‐reinforced thermoplastics, offering valuable insights into the rational design of high‐performance nanocomposite systems.

Polymer Engineering and ScienceVol. 66(1)
Qingdao University (CN), Qingdao University of Science and Technology (CN), Qingdao Agricultural University (CN), Qingdao Center of Resource Chemistry and New Materials (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 29%
Polymer Nanocomposite Synthesis and Irradiation
0.61
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