title: Influence of Nanomaterial Compatibilization Strategies on Polyamide Nanocomposites Properties and Nanomaterial Release during the Use Phase.
abstract: The incorporation of small amounts of nanofillers in polymeric matrices has enabled new applications in several industrial sectors. The nanofiller dispersion can be improved by modifying the nanomaterial (NM) surface or predispersing the NMs to enhance compatibility. This study evaluates the effect of these compatibilization strategies on migration/release of the nanofiller and transformation of polyamide-6 (PA6), a thermoplastic polymer widely used in industry during simulated outdoors use. Two nanocomposites (NCs) containing SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with different surface properties and two multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) NCs obtained by different addition methods were produced and characterized, before and after accelerated wet aging conditions. Octyl-modified SiO2 NPs, though initially more aggregated than uncoated SiO2 NPs, reduced PA6 hydrolysis and, consequently, NM release. Although no clear differences in dispersion were observed between the two types of MWCNT NCs (masterbatch vs direct addition) after manufacture, the use of the MWCNT masterbatch reduced PA6 degradation during aging, preventing MWCNT accumulation on the surface and further release or potential exposure by direct contact. The amounts of NM released were lower for MWCNTs (36 and 108 mg/m(2)) than for SiO2 NPs (167 and 730 mg/m(2)), being lower in those samples where the NC was designed to improve the nanofiller-matrix interaction. Hence, this study shows that optimal compatibilization between NM and matrix can improve NC performance, reducing polymer degradation and exposure and/or release of the nanofiller.
authors.affiliation: LEITAT Technological Center , C/de la Innovació 2, 08225 Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain.|Centre for NanoBioSafety and Sustainability (CNBSS) , 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: Elisabet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernández-Rosas
authors.affiliation: LEITAT Technological Center , C/de la Innovació 2, 08225 Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain.|Centre for NanoBioSafety and Sustainability (CNBSS) , 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vilar
authors.affiliation: LEITAT Technological Center , C/de la Innovació 2, 08225 Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Janer
authors.affiliation: LEITAT Technological Center , C/de la Innovació 2, 08225 Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: González-Gálvez
authors.affiliation: Centre for NanoBioSafety and Sustainability (CNBSS) , 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.|Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) , Campus de la UAB, Edifici CM3, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Puntes
authors.affiliation: Centre for NanoBioSafety and Sustainability (CNBSS) , 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.|Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) , Campus de la UAB, Edifici CM3, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jamier
authors.affiliation: LEITAT Technological Center , C/de la Innovació 2, 08225 Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain.|Centre for NanoBioSafety and Sustainability (CNBSS) , 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aubouy
authors.affiliation: LEITAT Technological Center , C/de la Innovació 2, 08225 Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain.|Centre for NanoBioSafety and Sustainability (CNBSS) , 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: Socorro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Campos
mesh_terms: D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002209:Caprolactam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D009757:Nylons; D011108:Polymers; C009916:nylon 6; D002209:Caprolactam; D012822:Silicon Dioxide