Aromatic Polyamide/Sepiolite Nanocomposite Materials: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties

Polycondensation reaction of an aromatic sulfone ether diamine (containing four flexible ether and one sulfone groups) with terephthaloyl dichloride led to the preparation of a flexible aromatic polyamide thin film. By the introduction of different amounts of sepiolite nanoparticles into the backbone of polyamide matrix, related novel nanocomposites were prepared and their structures were characterized. Morphology of the polymer and nanocomposites were studied and compared through scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray methods. In comparison to pristine polymer, improvement in thermal and mechanical properties was observed in the nanocomposites containing sepiolite.