Modification of clay via silane grafting and nylon synthesis onto the montmorillonite

Chemical modification of montmorillonite clay has been carried out using a trifunctional alkoxysilane (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (γ-APS). Silane grafting was achieved in dry and hydrolyzing conditions. Pristine and silane grafted clay took part in interfacial polycondensation (IPC) process to synthesis a layer of polyamide-66 onto the clay lamellae and therefore, enhance their affinity with polyamide-66 matrix. Evidence of presence of grafted silane molecules and presence of polyamide-66 on clay particles were provided by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Affinity evaluation of such modified clays with polyamide-66 matrix was inspected through melt compounding of them with polyamide-66 in another work.