Preparation of gram quantities of high-quality titanate nanotubes and their composites with polyamide 6
Abstract
Gram quantities of high-quality titanate nanotubes (Ti-NT) were prepared and melt-mixed with polyamide 6 (PA6), which then exhibited a 35% increase in elastic modulus. Ti-NT with high aspect ratio were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis from TiO2.
In the next step, dried Ti-NT nanopowder could be employed in preparation of polymer composites by a standard melt mixing. Impact of various drying procedures (air drying, vacuum drying, freeze-drying) on morphology and structure of Ti-NT was investigated by a number of microscopic, diffraction and thermal methods.
FESEM and TEM microscopy proved that the best nanopowder with well-dispersed, non-merged and unbroken single nanotubes resulted from freeze-drying. EDX analysis confirmed that the nanotubes were stable in both alkaline and neutral suspensions.
SAED, HRTEM and PXRD showed that drying procedures did not influence the specific Ti-NT structure. DSC confirmed that Ti-NT were stable at elevated temperatures (260 C), used during melt mixing.