Crystal structure of nylon 6/inorganic layered silicate nanocomposite film

Crystal structure of nanocomposite films composed of nylon 6 matrix and syn thetic layered silicate as a filler (NCN 6) was analytically investigated u sing infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC),an d X-ray scattering/diffraction. IR spectra indicated that the silicate laye rs have planar orientation, and Avrami indices obtained from isothermal DSC measurement indicated that the spherulites in the NCN 6 films were crystal lized in a two-dimensional fashion. Moreover, X-ray analysis revealed that the fiber axis of gamma-nylon 6 crystallites is parallel to the film surfac e in contrast with the pure nylon 6 crystallites, which are randomly orient ed. As a result, for the NCN 6 films it was considered that the two-dimensi onal spherulites grown out of silicate layers have planar orientation paral lel to the film surface, and this model was able to interpret qualitatively the high gas barrier of NCN 6 films.